HOW TO DEAL WITH HOMESICKNESS WHILE AWAY AT SCHOOL
No matter how independent you are (or think you are) or how excited you are to go away to college to make new friends and to try new things, it is not unusual to feel homesick. Here are a few things to try if you're feeling this way.
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No matter how independent you are (or think you are) or how excited you are to go away to college to make new friends and to try new things, it is not unusual to feel homesick. You may even be surprised to feel it because you were so ready to be away from home. You just have to remember that a lot of experiences during college are new (whether you are a freshman or a senior), so it is not unusual to miss your family, your pets, your friends, someone to make your favorite meal, someone to do your laundry, or just someone familiar to see on a daily basis.
When you are feeling homesick, there are some things you can do to make yourself feel better.
Only a phone call or video chat away! First and most importantly, call, FaceTime, or even text your family as often as you want and need to. They miss you just as much as you miss them and seeing their smiling faces or hearing their voices can do a lot to make you feel not so far away from them. If you have a pet that you miss, FaceTime them too! Ask your family to send you at least 1 picture of them a day. It gives you something to look forward to and is pretty much guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Fill up your wall with photos. Don’t be afraid to use up wall space in your dorm or your bedroom – fill it up with those pictures of your pets, family, and friends. Seeing people and things you miss or looking at happy memories can do a lot to lift your spirit.
Treat yourself every once in a while! Sometimes making homesickness go away can be by doing something as simple as treating yourself to your favorite comfort food or putting on comfy clothes and watching a movie or tv show you always watched with your family or friends. Enjoying something that makes you think of home can be just the trick.
Talk with those around you. Don’t be afraid to let your roommate(s), close classmate, co-worker, or even your resident adviser (RA) know that you are feeling a little homesick. They have most likely felt the same way at some point and can help make you feel better just by listening.
Everyone gets homesick at some time during college – even the most independent and most outgoing students who appear like nothing bothers them. The feeling can come out of nowhere, or you might feel it when you are stressed or alone or angry or see someone wearing a shirt from your hometown or home state. When homesickness does hit, just try one of the tips above to make yourself feel better. They are simple things but can do wonders when you are really missing someone or something from home.