Lonely in College in Pakistan? You're Not Alone

That is a very heavy feeling — being lonely in a place full of people, and the pressure that comes with it. You are not weak for feeling this way; it is genuinely hard to walk into a room where you feel invisible. Many students in Pakistan go through this, especially when college is new or when you don't click with anyone yet. The pressure you feel might be from family expectations, from your own mind telling you that you should have friends by now, or from the sheer weight of being alone. But this situation can change, and it does not mean something is wrong with you.

Here are a few things that have helped others in the same place:

• Start with just one small contact. You don't need a whole group. Next time you are in class, try saying one thing to the person sitting next to you — "That lecture was tough, na?" or "Can I see your notes for a second?" It feels awkward at first, but most people are also waiting for someone to speak.
• Find a low-pressure activity. A college sports team, a society, or even a study circle. When you are doing something together, conversation comes naturally. Even a library or canteen you visit at the same time every day — you will start seeing the same faces.
• Talk to someone before you decide to stay home. If you skip college regularly, the loneliness can grow bigger. Tell a family member you trust, or a college counsellor if there is one. Or talk to Zara — she is here to listen without judging. Just saying it out loud reduces some of the pressure.

You are not the only one feeling this. Many people around you are also lonely but hiding it. Give yourself a little time, and try one small step this week. It will be fine, inshallah.