Freshmen, friends, and the fear of fitting in

University freshmen face significant social challenges as they transition from the structured, familiar environments of high school to the independent, often isolating landscape of campus life. Many students report high levels of social anxiety, with surveys indicating that a majority struggle with face-to-face interactions and desire better communication skills. This shift is compounded by a heavy reliance on digital communication, which allows for curated self-presentation but hinders real-time social development. To navigate this, students are increasingly adopting "buddy culture," or *DAZE*, where relationships are categorized by specific functions like study or meal companions. While this provides a convenient, low-commitment way to interact, it often fails to satisfy the deeper need for meaningful connection, leaving many students feeling caught between the desire to belong and the urge to retreat into their comfort zones.