The Higher Ed Ally

Loneliness and Isolation

First-year college students often struggle in the second month or so of classes. After the first rush of orientation, new classes, and the usual welcome week activities, they find themselves homesick. They feel lonely and maybe a little depressed. As faculty and staff, part of our job is to support them through this first-year, which can demoralize them.

Indeed, counselors and therapists have pointed this out for at least the last twenty years. For instance, in 2010, Diana Barth, a NYC psychotherapist, wrote “I’m Homesick! Freshman Blues and Psychological Growth.” In 2016, Michelle Ruiz, in Seventeen magazine, wrote “What No One Tells You About Freshman Year of College.” Both articles detail the struggles that many students have with the transition to college life (Barth, 2010 and Ruiz 2016). Again, in 2018, Kierah Blythe wrote, “The Freshman Blues: Ways to Combat Depression in College” for HBCU Pulse. The trend continues, as just this year, Haley Sherif of Educational Advocates asked, “Feeling Lonely in College?” and proceeded with “Five Tips for for College First-Years.” It is clear that this is not a problem only faced by a small group of students.

How They Respond

Most students, though, work through these challenges. They make a point of getting involved. They join a club, rush a Greek organization, or even get a part-time job. Whatever they try, they find a way to make friends. Undoubtedly, some take advantage of campus resources, like study groups, or they attend events designed to foster social connections. They gradually discover their strengths and interests, transforming feelings of isolation into a sense of belonging. By participating in these activities, they start building a network of peers and mentors. In the long run, this helps them grow both personally and academically.

Trouble Adjusting

Some students struggle more with this transition than others. They are, perhaps, more introverted and have trouble meeting people. Maybe, they haven’t found a group of people or club where they feel they fit. In a worst case scenario, they decide they don’t belong at this school. Whatever the reason, these students never find their footing at their colleges. Some of them transfer to a new school. Others decide to join the workforce, go to trade school, or join the military. These are all good choices, but they are different from what these students expected. So, they need support so they know they are normal. Some of them will drop out completely. In fact, The Education Data Initiative found in 2023 that almost 1/4 of first-year, freshman students dropped out within 12-months of starting college.(Hanson, 2024) Sometimes, this leaves them feeling as if they’ve failed themselves or their families.

Added Challenges for Online Students

Now, imagine the same struggles and experiences, but with a single difference. Instead of living on campus, the students are in a fully online/distance education program. There is no doubt that student sin a fully online/distance program experience loneliness. Studies show that they often feel isolated from their peers, which negatively impacts their success in their courses and degree programs(Kafumann & Vallade, 2020). How can we support these students who don’t have university support systems nearby? They can’t join a club or Greek organization. They often live hours away from campus. Even those who live close by, are often work full-time while also attending college. Others are raising families while earning their degrees. What can we do, as faculty, administrators, and student support personnel to help these students in their educational journey?