College opens a door to positive experiences, such as socializing, furthering your education, and self-discovery. Unfortunately, college can also come with downsides, such as mental health struggles. Specifically, loneliness–a mental health hardship that affects up to 80% of college students1, making it one of the most common and challenging struggles for students to face.
Feeling connected, whether through phone calls with family, time in class with peers, or a meaningful teacher-student relationship, is critical for college students to feel a sense of belonging. Understanding how to alleviate loneliness and helping students cope with life challenges that come with change is key to promoting a healthier lifestyle on campus.
How does loneliness happen?
Loneliness can affect college students for various reasons, some clear and some not so obvious. Common factors include:
- Homesickness1
- Up to 69% of students suffer from homesickness during college, especially those who are first-year students or international students3.
- Lack of connection1
- Many students struggle to make friends during college, especially those who are introverted. Social situations and fear of judgement may impair the ability to form relationships4, resulting in loneliness. Furthermore, lacking connection with friends from home or struggling to make social connections in general can exacerbate loneliness.
- Poor sleep quality1
- Sleep deprivation can cause impairment not only physically, but also socially. Research has shown that sleep quality and loneliness are highly interconnected factors5, in which lower sleep quality results in higher levels of loneliness.
How loneliness affects college students
Although loneliness can be a normal part of life, excessive feelings can develop into other problems in the future. Examples of associated concerns include:
- Depression or other mental health disorders2
- College students who experience loneliness are 4 times more likely to experience severe psychological distress6.
- Substance abuse1
- Current research supports a correlation between loneliness and substance abuse7.
- Weakened immune system1
- Studies suggest that loneliness can make students more susceptible to diseases and inflections1.
- Cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases1
- Physical and neurological symptoms and disorders can arise because of lonliness1.
The psychological and physiological impacts of loneliness impact not only the health of the students but also their academic standing. A sense of belonging is paramount to academic well-being8—thus, as college educators and partners, it is important to identify those students who may need the extra support to promote well-being and academic success.
How to better support loneliness in college students
Colleges and their partners are some of the main support lines for students—whether it is mental health services or on-campus events, students rely on the campus to help facilitate them through college challenges. It is our role to empower students by providing them with the help they need and resources that promote a fulfilling and connected lifestyle.
On-Campus mental health support
An important way of keeping students safe and supported is to offer on-campus help, such as mental health centers. Further, offering counseling or help with finding a counselor can be crucial for those struggling with loneliness. Implementing hotlines, such as crisis lines, or spreading awareness about national lines, is beneficial to those who are seeking immediate help1.
Fostering personal connection in the classroom
Adults contribute a unique support system to students, especially educators. By creating a sense of belonging and fostering a personal connection in the classroom and on campus, students can have an outlet for support, even in their academic lives.
Some ways of creating a sense of connection in the classroom and on campus can be:
Getting to know your students
Fostering a connection between students and teachers is an important way to combat loneliness. Creating user guides (such as “get to know you” questionnaires) where students can share their interests and personalities with the class8,or having activities where students can reflect on their own values and discuss the values of others, can promote inclusivity8. Even setting up check-ins and interacting with each other and the professor in activities such as morning meetings can engage students socially.
Making connections easier for students
Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to know where to go when you need help. In these instances, it is helpful for colleges to have a powerhouse that can help students navigate the resources they need.
For example, McGill University uses its Campus App to not only provide resources, but also to encourage positive communication between students from the moment they begin university9. Colleges can incorporate apps, websites, or other forms of communication that can help foster a community digitally and alleviate loneliness.
Further, colleges can create events that can help students engage with others and build connections9. Getting to know your students and their specific interests can help in creating events that are exciting and meaningful, helping them not only get acclimated to college life but also meet people with similar interests.
Create a better future for college students dealing with loneliness
It is crucial to keep our students at the forefront, and make sure their battle with loneliness is not only their own. Our goals should continue to be education, awareness, and support. As educators, providers, and campus partners, we must work to improve our students’ lives mentally while on campus.
Wellfleet aims to foster continued enhancement of well-being through Campus Health 360, our monthly newsletter. Subscribe today and stay updated on ways to enhance population health on your campus.
Resources:
- Kaple, T. (2024, March 7). Retrieved from Combating Student Loneliness and Isolation in College: Help, Support, and Resources
- Jed Foundation. (n.d.). Tips for Overcoming Loneliness. Retrieved from, https://jedfoundation.org/resource/tips-for-overcoming-loneliness/.
- StudyGS. (n.d.). Homesickness in college students statistics: Understanding the struggles and solutions. Retrieved from, https://www.studygs.net/homesickness-in-college-students-statistics-understanding-the-struggles-and-solutions/.
- Knight, K. (2024, January 17). Retrieved from How to Make Friends in College as an Introvert: A Therapist’s Guide – Dr. Kim Knight
- Power of Positivity (2024, December 3). Retrieved from The Surprising Link Between Sleep and Loneliness |
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