@GreenwichPark : The America Magazine article was depressing. Other than to suggest that she seek counseling, I would encourage her to take charge of her life in areas that she can control such as daily exercise, reading and volunteering.
Sometimes you just have to make your own way in life rather than wait for life to come to you.
I do not mean to downplay the seriousness of a young adult experiencing lonliness during her first time away from home, but I do think that she could have received better advice than, essentially, just give it time and everything will be fine.
This is a time for growth and for development of one’s rapidly changing self identity. Often it is not easy–that’s why they are referred to as “growing pains”. But you just have to leave your comfort zone in order to grow and, sometimes, that means dealing with a bit of isolation & lonliness. Better to view this stage of life as change & growth rather than as rejection.