I Wish I'd Known About This!

A wonderful part of my role is to spread Agape to local churches and, in December, I visited Missiongathering, Disciples of Christ, in La Mesa where I met several recent graduates from UC San Diego who shared heart-wrenching stories of the loneliness of that system and how they wished they knew about us during their time on campus.  I feel so grateful to offer community and kindness on our campuses because university campuses are often portrayed as vibrant, social environments, yet many students experience deep loneliness amid the crowds.

The transition to university can involve leaving familiar support systems, navigating academic pressure, and struggling to form meaningful relationships in a fast-paced and competitive setting. Large lecture halls, online coursework, and social comparison—amplified by social media—can make students feel invisible or disconnected, especially when peers are face down on their phones. For many, the expectation that university should be “the best years of their life” only intensifies feelings of isolation when their reality does not match that narrative.

In this context, faith communities can play an important role in supporting students’ emotional and social well-being. Faith-based groups often provide a consistent sense of belonging, shared values, and spaces where students are known by name rather than GPA. Through regular gatherings, mentorship, service, and open conversations about purpose and struggle, faith communities can offer students both practical support and hope during challenging seasons. By fostering authentic relationships and emphasizing care for the whole person, these communities can help counter loneliness and remind students that they are not alone as they navigate university life.

Agape is proud to continue to offer weekly time to connect, relax, and support each other amid the craziness of university life.