Socialising
Student carers don’t always have the freedom that those without caring responsibilities have. For many students, university is a chance to meet new people both on their course and through joining clubs and societies. This aspect of university life is challenging for student carers. Being unable to attend social events can make it more difficult to make friends.
Of 137 student carers who took part in the research (Martin, 2020):
- 74% said joining clubs and societies was challenging (p. 20)
- 57% of student carers said making friends was very challenging (p. 22)
Difficulty making friends and integrating into wider university life can make student carers feel very alone. This is often compounded by having very different life experiences and home circumstances to many of their peers. Carers shared that their peers often do not understand caring responsibilities, and it can be difficult for their classmates to relate to them.
Student carers on socialising and isolation:
‘The socialising – it’s such a big thing. Freshers and stuff. Obviously, it’s not something I could have participated in.’
‘When we started lectures everyone seemed to know each other. That obviously has an impact on your mental health – makes you feel so isolated.’
‘Uni is made to sound like the biggest “party” and there is a pressure to make it the best time of your life. For some people it was, but for people with caring responsibilities it is difficult to participate in these sorts of social events.’
‘Quite often meetings, extra curricular events etc are held at times which are impossible for someone with caring responsibilities to attend. University can also be a very isolating experience for student carers.’
‘Not many people our own age will have an understanding of the complexities of certain situations.’
‘I found it hard to connect with classmates who didn't understand why I was so worried all the time.’
[Caring] ‘can often lead to us being more isolated from our peers as they simply cannot empathise with the often traumatic situations we have come from.’
Balancing caring and university