For many students, summer is something to look forward to; a break from deadlines, lectures and early starts. But for others, it can feel somewhat difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re staying in Bristol while friends head home, or returning to a family environment that feels a bit complicated, loneliness can show up in ways you might not expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A quieter campus and fewer familiar faces can feel isolating. But Bristol is still very much alive over the summer and there are ways to stay connected, often without spending much money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find low-pressure ways to meet people<\/strong> You could also try:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make the most of Bristol\u2019s outdoor spaces<\/strong> Stay connected to university support<\/strong> Create your own routine<\/strong> Do something that gets you around people (without pressure)<\/strong> Going home isn\u2019t always a simple or comforting experience. Family dynamics, expectations, or feeling like you\u2019ve changed while everything else hasn\u2019t can all contribute to anxiety or loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set realistic expectations<\/strong> Keep part of your independence<\/strong> Stay digitally connected<\/strong> Small steps that can help, wherever you are<\/strong> Reach out to existing or old friends in your hometown<\/strong> Get outside<\/strong> Know when to ask for support<\/strong> Summer can look very different for everyone. Whether you\u2019re staying in Bristol, heading home, or somewhere in between, your experience is valid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Connection doesn\u2019t have to be big or dramatic; sometimes it\u2019s just one message, one conversation, or one small plan that helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if this summer feels tough, that doesn\u2019t mean it will always feel that way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For many students, summer is something to look forward to; a break from deadlines, lectures and early starts. But for others, it can feel somewhat difficult. Whether you\u2019re staying in Bristol while friends head home, or returning to a family environment that feels a bit complicated, loneliness can show up in ways you might not … Continue reading “Staying Connected: Tackling Loneliness Over the Summer”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":1810,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":53,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[5,131,56,6,129,242,136,304],"class_list":["post-4545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellbeing","tag-health-and-wellbeing","tag-loneliness","tag-self-help","tag-student-advice","tag-student-experience","tag-support-services","tag-tackling-loneliness","tag-wellbeing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/52"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4545"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4589,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4545\/revisions\/4589"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/student\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Look for relaxed, drop-in style activities where there\u2019s no expectation to already know anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Getting outside can help break up long days and lift your mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Even outside of term time, our support services are still there if you need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Without the structure of lectures, days can blur together. Try building small activities into your week. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Even being around others can help you feel less isolated, even if you don\u2019t know them personally. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re going home (and it feels complicated)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s okay if things don\u2019t feel perfect. Try to avoid putting pressure on yourself to have a \u2018perfect summer\u2019 or to fix long-standing dynamics in a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maintaining small elements of your university routine; whether that\u2019s going for a solo coffee, continuing hobbies, or setting aside time for yourself can help you feel grounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regular messages, voice notes or video calls with friends in Bristol or elsewhere can remind you that your support network is still there and that these periods of time are just temporary<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loneliness isn\u2019t always about being physically alone, it\u2019s about feeling disconnected. The good news is that even small actions can help rebuild that sense of connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sending a simple message like \u201cHow are you getting on?\u201d can often lead to more connection than you expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spending time outdoors has been linked to improved mood and reduced stress: https:\/\/www.mentalhealth.org.uk\/explore-mental-health\/a-z-topics\/nature-and-mental-health<\/a>).
Limit comparison<\/strong>
Social media can make it seem like everyone else is having an amazing summer. Remember, social media isn\u2019t real: you\u2019re only seeing a highlight reel<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If loneliness starts to feel overwhelming or persistent, it\u2019s important to speak to someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Final thought<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n