“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”
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Schools are always about friends first and study second. From fighting for the seat to sharing lunch and taking punishments together, we have all been there. In school, we always used to get support from our friends and never felt lonely or actually lagged behind. But as we grow up, we are left behind with few friends who are with us through the changing phases of life. But everything changes when we get into college. The high school world and college are the two different phases of life, yet they couldn’t be further apart. Believe it or not, our school life is far more disciplined than it will ever be at college.
College, as advertised and perceived by people, is the best three or four years of life. But the reality is that in college, the environment changes completely, and many students find it challenging to be the person they were in school. Sure, when you first get into college, it seems like a pretty overwhelming event, and you get to meet a lot of people. But deep down, sometimes you feel incredibly lonely around new people and remember that there is nothing so wrong about feeling alone in a big crowd. These feelings hit you differently when you are an introvert. Here we shall not talk about introverts and extroverts, but the problems and hardships faced commonly.
The fear of loneliness creeps in when you are sitting alone at night, and you realize there is actually no one here that knows you. It becomes scary knowing that you do not have friends and family nearby. Surrounded by unfamiliar groups of people, who seem to be friendlier and more comfortable with the environment than you, all you can do is smile and try to fit in or get along. You also hesitate to go over to somebody’s place to hang out. Even though you try your best to keep up-to-date with your new acquaintances through social media, doing so just multiplies your thoughts of loneliness.
Talking and hanging out with your new roommates and new friends is cool, though they don’t really know you, and it seems like you’re not going to get along with everyone. In fact, you can already tell one is going to irritate you till the end.
To-Do List to Overcome Loneliness
Below are a few points that would help you keep loneliness at bay.
1. Making new friends
One of the easiest and simplest ways to handle your lonely feelings is to make new friends. You do not have to replace your other friends, but you need people around you to count on and share good times with when at college or work. Many people make new friends at college when they sit next to people who seem similar or in the same large group. While many others make friends through extracurricular activities. There are literally many ways, events, and times when you will have to make friends at college. Take advantage of that and be happy.
2. Explore your passions… and yourself
The right time to find out who we indeed are and our desires are when we are out on our own. That is the time when we discover things that we want to do and the things that make us feel special. It could be anything- volunteering in a fest, joining a college or a social club, sports, social work, etc. When you are among strangers, trying out new things, you are free to be yourself.
3. Focus on work and studying
College is all about academics, but it is also about socializing too. Some university students focus on the course work in order to keep their feelings at bay. So when you wish to go to the library or some other area just to feel less lonely, do not rely entirely on that.
Not to do things to overcome loneliness.
1. Going home every weekend
If you are geographically near and able to go home once in a while, it is a great thing to reduce stress. But going back every weekend is, in a way, running away from overcoming loneliness or excuses for not making new friends. Get along with the part of the college that is learning to be independent, reduce the attachment with home, and live on your own.
2. Regularly doing drugs or alcohol to excess
All college students are empowered to test a little with substances they did not previously try or get at home quickly. Partying with others is fine, but drinking is not. Do not let the influence of other people make you do drugs and drink, which later turns out to be life-threatening.
3. Playing video games continuously
The inclination to play video games is strong among teenagers and youngsters nowadays. But what is missed is that it is mostly a way to kill time at home and missing out on the outside life. Gaming in sets is perfectly alright and helpful to relieve stress. Spending the whole weekend gaming and not playing with friends or studying is something that should not be accepted.
These were some everyday things you could do to reduce the feelings of loneliness in life. Other than these, you can always call your friends and family and talk to them about your day. Loneliness is not something that is not accommodating or very welcoming emotion. Most people can get out of isolation without a lot of trouble, but there can be times when it lingers around and is troublesome to cope with. Keep in mind, you do not have to be lonely, and it is you who has to do something to get over it. Two people meeting each other have a higher chance of dispelling loneliness than either of them sitting in their houses.
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