Social anxiety has always been a struggle of mine, long before coming to University. At secondary school, I would be labelled as 'shy' or 'quiet', and was known for being a little socially awkward. I found it incredibly difficult to fit into some social situations, particularly in large group settings and felt immense anxiety over the simplest of social tasks, such as making a phone call or asking for a bus ticket.
Luckily I've grown more confident over the years and I now find it a lot easier to initiate conversations with people I don't know, and can easily make phone calls or buy bus tickets without having panic attacks beforehand. My 15-year-old self would be shocked by how far I've come and how much I've grown since moving to Newcastle and living away from home.
However, that doesn't mean that the social anxiety has completely left. I still struggle with it occasionally, and when I find myself becoming shy or feeling awkward in social settings, I often berate myself for 'regressing' back to the timid and self-conscious teenager I was.
"Feelings of social anxiety can impact a student's university life by getting in the way of their studies, preventing them from attending lectures or even making friends."
But it's completely valid for me to feel that way, and I know that I'm not alone in my feelings. Social anxiety is very common among university students, with a study showing that "up to 22% of University students face some kind of social anxiety during their studies."
Feelings of social anxiety can impact a student's university life by getting in the way of their studies, preventing them from attending lectures or even making friends. It can be a difficult thing to tackle while at Uni, an institution that is notoriously reliant on building connections and networks with different people. Societies and sports clubs can sometimes appear like lion's dens to the socially anxious individual.
However, there are ways that we can help ourselves and others feel more socially comfortable and at ease while at university. For starters: set boundaries in your social lives. It's important to recognise your limits and boundaries in social settings. If you plan to attend one or two social events, parties or get-togethers throughout the week, try and leave the rest of the evenings free to unwind and spend some quality time by yourself or close friends.
On campus, things can start to get a bit overwhelming at times, especially when there are lots of students rushing about from place to place. If it suits your timetable, you could try to take a break in a quiet study space throughout the day. Some of the best locations I've discovered on campus for quiet study include the NUSU central building (opposite the SU) where you can eat while working, or the second/third floors of the Philip Robinson Library which have smaller pods, study rooms and separate tables for independent working.
Finally, it's important to remember if you're struggling socially at university that you're not alone. If your anxiety is so overwhelming that you're struggling to make it to lectures or to make friends, then speaking to a Wellbeing Supervisor through the Student Union or a counsellor might be the best way to help. Although it can be daunting to reach out for help, some people are there specifically to help with these things and will listen to your worries with no judgment.
Social anxiety can be difficult to live with, especially at university. We should all try to be compassionate and show understanding towards others, even if we can't personally relate to their problems. If you know or suspect that someone might be struggling socially, you should try reaching out to them or checking on them every once in a while. You never know, you could make a massive difference in their lives...
Click here for wellbeing resources through the University.
