Today, being sent to another place to attend college is a common practice. This is a cheaper and more convenient option especially if you’re attending a university which is far from your home. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. However, being away from home when you’re starting college also has a few setbacks – and dealing with homesickness is one of these. Living away from home can become a struggle especially if you’ve lived with your family all your life. This homesickness can become the reason why you’d suffer depression and lose focus on your studies. To ensure that homesickness will not get in the way once you’re starting college, deal with it by following the tips below:
1.) Constantly tell yourself that what you’re going through is normal: Just because you’re homesick doesn’t mean that you’re indifferent. This kind of mindset can cause unwanted stress and can even lead you to isolate yourself. Before taking any measures to deal with homesickness, accept what you’re feeling and constantly tell yourself that it’s normal to feel this way. Don’t think that something is wrong with you just because you’re homesick. Once you do this, you’ll have the motivation to start working towards getting over it.
2.) Get used to your new surroundings: Everything about college is new. Where you’re living and who you’re with are new. Even your lifestyle has to be new in college! Because homesickness is all about fearing the unfamiliar, you should go out and familiarize yourself with everything around you. Start by making friends with everyone in college, look for secrets spots around the university to clear your head and a favorite café where you can study alone. Exploring all of these things can make you feel more comfortable in college.
3.) Bring some home comforts: When you’re packing for college, don’t forget to bring any valuables which can remind you of home. You can bring your family pictures, family albums and trinkets. Seeing all of these in your dorm will create a homey feel, making you miss home a little less. Just make sure that your dorm room can accommodate the items you’ll bring so you won’t have to suffer cramped up space!
4.) Make a space for yourself at school: Your home is where you can be yourself and do everything you love without being fear of judgment. You fit perfectly when you’re at home and the world around you fits perfectly too. However, being a freshman in college doesn’t create the same experience. You’d be caught off guard with everything that’s happening around you which makes you long for home. The solution? Look for avenues where you can be yourself at school. If you love talking to other people, join the debating team. If you’re comfortable playing sports, know the schedule of the tryouts. These organizations can help you reach out to more people and make new friends. You’ll also get out from your shell which can lead to a more relaxed persona.
5.) Talk to other students: You’re not the only person who is experiencing homesickness; there are actually a lot of students who are going through the same. Open up to them and let them know about how you feel. These students can become your outlet to relieve yourself from the emotional stress linked to homesickness. You can also gain pieces of advice on how to deal with homesickness from people who are going through the exact same thing. Creating relationships with these students can be very helpful over time.
6.) Stay connected with home but don’t overdo it: Talking with your family and other people back home can help overcome your homesickness. It always feels good to have someone help you out when you’re still settling in college. If you think you can no longer handle your homesickness, call your family. Telling them about your sentiments can help a lot. But don’t do it too frequently. Keep in mind that you’re learning to live differently and you should gradually lose dependency with other people.
7.) Look after yourself: When you’re always thinking about your friends and family back home, you’ll end up missing them even more. This can worsen your homesickness. Steer away from this direction by looking after yourself. Take care of your mental and physical health by getting at least eight hours of sleep every night, eating healthily in every meal, and including exercise in your daily routine. Once you’ve redirected your attention to something even more important, you won’t have the time to think about home.
8.) Always stay positive: Don’t force yourself to get over homesickness as soon as possible. Instead, give yourself time to accept what you’re feeling and adjust accordingly. Feeling this way can be uncomfortable and even depressing, but it’s just that – homesickness will pass and you’re doing just fine. Be keen enough not to let homesickness get the best of you. This can be difficult to deal with, but things can be easier each passing day. Remember that you’re stronger than this and you’ve overcome worse in the past. Keep going and always stay positive!
You’re Entitled To Feel Homesick
Homesickness is normal; every student who is away from home can experience this. But this shouldn’t hinder you from performing your best at college. Take time to adjust with everything about college – the place, people, environment, lifestyle – so you can cope better and easier. Don’t rush yourself to accept everything though. You’re a human being, and you have the right to be homesick – just make sure that you’re dealing it positively and healthily.
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