Homesickness in College: Coping Strategies That Work
There are simple ways to get over homesickness and make the most of your college experience. Living away from home for the first time is a scary experience for everyone, and it can often result in homesickness.
According to research, 94% of students report feeling homesick within the initial ten weeks of college, and many continue to do so at various points during their academic careers. International students are particularly affected by these feelings of loneliness and isolation as they adjust to life away from family, in a completely new country, while studying full-time.
Every kid has a unique way of feeling homesick. Some people experience nostalgia for certain locations or individuals, but it can also show itself as anger, melancholy, or worry.
Let’s talk about some practical coping strategies that work so you can love every moment as a college student.
Understanding Homesickness
As a fresh undergraduate student, whatever you are feeling right now has been experienced by other people in the past. Homesickness is normal; however, it must be managed appropriately so you can focus while you are in college.
They say home is where you trust the toilet seat. This may sound cheesy, but it’s true. As humans, we are drawn to a particular location where we spend most of our time. Homesickness is a feeling of emotional distress from being far from home, family, friends, or even familiar routines for some students. The symptoms can come in a variety of ways, but the most common ones are feeling sad, anxiety, withdrawal, loss of appetite, and insomnia.
Coping Strategies That Work
Stay Connected—but Not Too Much
Truth be told, there’s no chance that you will stay completely away from connecting with family. As a matter of fact, we don’t recommend it. Be that as it may, you can use texts, calls, or video chats to stay connected with your loved ones, but you need to set healthy boundaries by avoiding constant contact that prevents adjustment. Also, remember to balance nostalgia with openness to the new environment, as this will help you navigate college properly.
Build a Routine
Another coping strategy is to build a routine, as this structure will help you with emotional stability. Try to include time for a meal, classes, relaxation, workout, and, most importantly, sleep. By creating a proper routine, you get a sense of familiarity and control, especially if you continue with some of the healthy routines you were practising before college.
Get Involved on Campus
We cannot stress enough getting involved in campus activities as a new student. This will not only help you navigate the new environment but will also help you meet new people who can potentially reduce homesickness.
Consider joining a club or two, a sports group, an organization, or even a volunteer group. You get to make new friends from these communities and be a part of something worthwhile. Being active reduces isolation and boosts mood.
Create a “Home Away from Home”
Creating a space that feels like home is one sure way to reduce homesickness as a college student. To do that, you need to personalize your dorm/space with familiar items like a photo from home, let’s say a family photo, a favorite blanket, or scents from home. Endeavour to establish comfort and familiarity in your new environment.
Talk About It
Nothing takes a little burden off you when you are worried more than sharing it with other people. Share feelings with roommates, friends, or mentors. You never know who will relate to you among the people you speak with. Many others are feeling the same way; opening up can help. In addition, consider counseling services or peer support groups.
Take Care of Yourself
Students often forget to take care of themselves in college because of the workload they end up having to handle. As much as this can be true, prioritising self-care by having regular meals, sleeping when due, working out, and finding the right hobbies can go a long way. Also essential is to make sure you limit alcohol or substances, as they can worsen your mood. More so, you need to practice mindfulness or journaling to process emotions.
When to Seek Help
First of all, you need to understand that being homesick is normal for every student, although the effect can differ among students. However, if your homesickness persists beyond a few weeks and affects academics or health, it’s the ideal time to seek help.
There are warning signs you should look out for when it starts to get serious. These signs are depression, anxiety, persistent withdrawal, or hopelessness. When all these show up, we encourage the use of campus mental health services or professional therapy.
Final Thoughts
As we earlier said, being homesick is completely normal and doesn’t last forever as it’s part of the adjustment process to being a college student and a part of adjusting to a big change.
With time, effort, and support, you can feel at home in college. Make the most of every activity you take part in while in college, meet new friends, join a community, and you will see that even though you still miss home, you have several activities to take your mind off home.
Moreover, you need to be patient and proactive in finding what works for you. Eventually, you will love being a college student, and you will enjoy every bit of time spent in school.
