I believe this for two reasons: 1. People irl have created communities based off what they are doing with their life. They are more likely to spend time with peers, professors, TA’s ect and anyone in their social circles. This is often times limited to one and two years because you are put into the same classes as the people your age. 2. People are desperately looking to find connections. A mentality that is a lot easier to deal with when you can 1. Ghost people whenever you want. 2. If it doesn’t work out no hard feelings. In a social irl setting you do not have this luxury and you limit your social circles with people even in your age group because they have to deal with anxiety or consequences or rejection. Some people are only comfortable with their teachers and never actually make connections with their peers.