In this blog, I share my own experience of loneliness while attending LSE. Loneliness used to be kind of a taboo subject, shrouded in stigma and rarely openly discussed. But it seems as though more and more people are speaking out about their youthful experiences of loneliness as time goes on. Here, I give you a glimpse of my own journey, and some of the suggestions I have used to combat it.

My experience…

Throughout my time at university, I’ve experienced moments of overwhelming loneliness and isolation, especially in my first year when I was living away from home. Despite being a Londoner, there were occasions when I felt like a stranger in my own city. I can only imagine how international students must feel, being far away from home. Even though it’s common to meet people during Welcome Week and introductory sessions, it can occasionally feel like everyone at LSE has already formed their own “clique“ while you still haven’t found your place. If you’re looking for advice on making new friends, read Lavanya’s blog.

Seeing some my schoolmates immersed in part-time jobs also made me feel alone. Our daily interactions at school shifted into infrequent meetings that took place once a month or even once a term since everyone appeared to be busy with their lives. Being separated from my family definitely had an impact, especially considering how much I value the comforts of home. P.S. I should mention that I’m the youngest of three siblings and the only son, so it’s only natural that I’ve developed a strong bond with my two sisters and parents!

The intensity of these emotions peaked during my first year at LSE but significantly subsided during my final year. This change probably resulted from the fact that I had learned efficient methods for overcoming loneliness, which I’ll share with you below. Continue reading to discover what I did to overcome these complicated feelings.

Strategies that assisted me

➳ Reflective journaling

I wasn’t very familiar with journaling, but the TikTok self-care trend piqued my interest. It turned out that journaling really helped me process my feelings and come up with solutions. What really worked for me was writing everything out and then going back to read it a few days later, as if I was giving advice to a mate. Remember, don’t neglect self-care – it doesn’t have to be anything complicated. For some quick self-care tips, read Mina’s blog. 

➳  Revisiting an old hobby

Even though I’ve always loved to cook, finding the time to do so during my time at LSE was challenging. While living away from home, I was sometimes reliant on UberEATS, and when I returned home for my second and third years, my parents’ cooking kept me going. However, I rediscovered the joy of cooking, boosting my sense of self-improvement when seeing myself get better in the kitchen.

➳  Fitness & health

Going to the gym with a committed workout partner who constantly encouraged me to strive for improvement was one of the main things that kept me motivated. For me, this person also happens to be an old friend from secondary school, and having them around during university was a huge comfort, especially during low moments. Having someone around with whom I could truly be myself worked wonders for my mental wellbeing. Read Tatyana’s blog for work-out ideas which don’t have to break the bank – Staying active in London on a budget. 

➳  A big deep clean

Surprisingly, getting rid of the clutter in my room—including that chair piled high with clothes that everyone has— really made me feel like I had my life together, even if that wasn’t the case! #fakeittillyoumakeit

➳  Student Counselling Service

Sometimes, all you need is someone to lend an ear, right? You can schedule private workshops with the Student Wellbeing and Counselling Service at LSE, typically lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. Or, if you’d rather, you can participate in the 2-hour long group sessions. The best part, though? You have the option of attending these sessions in person or online. See here for more information on their workshops. If you want to know more about the range of help offered by LSE’s Student Wellbeing Service, read Thu Huong’s blog.