It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university students
Forming and sustaining social connections is integral to university students’ sense of belonging and well-being, yet many face challenges in building meaningful relationships. This study explored these challenges through 20 semi-structured interviews with recent first year students. Using thematic a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Adolescence and Youth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2538674 |
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| author | Yitong Liu Wendy Wrapson Richard Siegert |
| author_facet | Yitong Liu Wendy Wrapson Richard Siegert |
| author_sort | Yitong Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Forming and sustaining social connections is integral to university students’ sense of belonging and well-being, yet many face challenges in building meaningful relationships. This study explored these challenges through 20 semi-structured interviews with recent first year students. Using thematic analysis, five key themes emerged: (1) Barriers in forming social connections, (2) Strategies used to connect with other students, (3) Sustaining social bonds, (4) Personality traits impact the cultivation of social networks, and (5) University support to aid social interaction. While participants acknowledged the importance of social connectedness, some expressed indifference or deprioritized forming relationships, citing academic pressures, personal preferences, or limited opportunities for meaningful interaction. Barriers such as pre-existing social groups, cultural and language differences, and hybrid learning environments compounded these challenges. Universities should consider tailoring support programs to better align with students’ evolving preferences and the realities of hybrid educational contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-32ff6a2faad1499b912635499d424d97 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0267-3843 2164-4527 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Adolescence and Youth |
| spelling | doaj-art-32ff6a2faad1499b912635499d424d972025-08-20T03:32:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Adolescence and Youth0267-38432164-45272025-12-0130110.1080/02673843.2025.2538674It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university studentsYitong Liu0Wendy Wrapson1Richard Siegert2School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New ZealandSchool of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New ZealandSchool of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New ZealandForming and sustaining social connections is integral to university students’ sense of belonging and well-being, yet many face challenges in building meaningful relationships. This study explored these challenges through 20 semi-structured interviews with recent first year students. Using thematic analysis, five key themes emerged: (1) Barriers in forming social connections, (2) Strategies used to connect with other students, (3) Sustaining social bonds, (4) Personality traits impact the cultivation of social networks, and (5) University support to aid social interaction. While participants acknowledged the importance of social connectedness, some expressed indifference or deprioritized forming relationships, citing academic pressures, personal preferences, or limited opportunities for meaningful interaction. Barriers such as pre-existing social groups, cultural and language differences, and hybrid learning environments compounded these challenges. Universities should consider tailoring support programs to better align with students’ evolving preferences and the realities of hybrid educational contexts.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2538674Undergraduate studentssocial connectednessuniversity adjustmentpost-pandemic educationhybrid learning |
| spellingShingle | Yitong Liu Wendy Wrapson Richard Siegert It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university students International Journal of Adolescence and Youth Undergraduate students social connectedness university adjustment post-pandemic education hybrid learning |
| title | It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university students |
| title_full | It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university students |
| title_fullStr | It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university students |
| title_full_unstemmed | It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university students |
| title_short | It’s harder than just saying hi: exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first-year university students |
| title_sort | it s harder than just saying hi exploring the formation and sustainability of social bonds among first year university students |
| topic | Undergraduate students social connectedness university adjustment post-pandemic education hybrid learning |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2538674 |
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