Not to break a few illusions of scholastic integrity, but when making a doctoral thesis, you’re not there to make friends. Social skills drop you go up the academic ladder, and it’s designed this way.

I’m not saying I sympathize either, but society doesn’t make it easier for masters to earn the doctorates. A simple “Who was your day, wanna go grab tea, hey let’s unwind at xyz” does resharpen social skills like you won’t believe.