You expected it to be the best years of your life. So what now?

Everyone told you uni would be the time of your life. New friends, late-night memories, personal growth, some "fun" academic struggle. But maybe that’s not what happened. Maybe you're in your second year and still feel disconnected. Maybe you regret choosing this major. Or maybe you just don’t feel like you fit in — and you’re starting to think you never will.

Here’s the thing no one really says: not liking uni life is normal, and it doesn’t make you a failure.

The University Myth vs. Your Reality

Social media paints this picture of university as non-stop excitement. But real student life is rarely that curated. Between deadlines, financial stress, awkward housemates, and identity crises, it's a lot. And when you don’t instantly love it, it can feel like something’s wrong with you.

But it’s not just you. A 2023 survey from UK student services showed that over 60% of students felt disconnected from their university community. That stat doesn’t go viral on TikTok, but it’s real.

You’re not broken. You’re just in a phase that doesn’t match the hype — and that’s okay.

Some Reasons Why Uni Might Feel Off (And What You Can Do)

You chose the wrong course. Or maybe the right one, but you hate how it's taught. You might feel behind because everyone else seems to "get it" faster. Or maybe you just don’t vibe with the campus culture. There are a million reasons uni doesn’t feel right — and none of them invalidate your experience.

Instead of pretending everything’s fine, here are some moves you can make:

• Talk to someone. Uni counseling services exist for a reason. Use them.

• Switch courses. Seriously. Better to pivot early than suffer three more years.

• Find your people outside your major. Join a niche club, try a part-time job, or even make online friends.

• Reframe it. Maybe uni isn’t the best time of your life. Maybe it’s just a stepping stone to better things.

Sometimes, what you really need isn’t a new environment. It’s a reset of expectations. You don’t have to become a social butterfly. You don’t have to go to parties if you hate them. You just need to make university work for you, not the other way around.

Try structuring your life outside your academic timeline. Build routines that center your wellbeing: gym sessions, long walks, book clubs, volunteering. When campus life feels stale, creating rhythm outside of it can help.

And don’t underestimate the power of small friendships. You don’t need a squad of ten. Sometimes one good flatmate or a classmate you can sit with at lectures makes a difference.

What If Everyone Else Looks Like They’re Thriving?

They’re not. Or at least, not all the time. Social media is a highlight reel, and real life doesn’t come with filters. The girl who posts study TikToks with her coffee? She might be crying after hours. The guy with the perfect party photos? He could be wondering if he should drop out too.

Everyone struggles. They just struggle quietly. You might feel like the only one faking it, but chances are, everyone’s wearing some version of a mask.

Give yourself grace. University is a bizarre, sometimes chaotic environment full of pressure and comparison. You’re doing your best. And that’s enough.

When Uni Disappointment Turns Into Burnout

It’s not just boredom or loneliness. Sometimes, disliking your uni life turns into something heavier. You stop going to classes. You don’t reply to messages. You feel stuck between dropping out and dragging yourself forward.

This is burnout, and it’s more common than you think.

The fix isn’t always to hustle harder. In fact, it’s the opposite. Start with small resets:

• Change your study environment

• Take a weekend offline

• Eat real meals and hydrate

• Talk to someone without filters

Academic pressure can twist your mental health in subtle ways. Remind yourself: you are more than your degree. Uni is just a part of your story — not the whole thing.