Are you experiencing a strong longing for home? Missing friends from high school? Craving that family home-cooked meal? Just as absence can make the heart grow fonder, absence can also cause homesickness.
Nearly all college students will experience homesickness at some point through their collegiate career. Although there is nothing unusual about missing your family and friends, it is important to make sure homesickness does not prevent you from enjoying your university experience.
How does homesickness begin? Many students claim homesickness happens because they miss their friends and family back home, which is true. However, there is some psychology behind these feelings of homesickness.
Halverson (2012) conveys the theory that humans are naturally hesitant toward change at first. Research shows humans resist change not only because of fear, but also the belief that our old routine is the best way of doing things.
Therefore, the change is not just about experiencing something unknown, it’s about giving up something we know and feel comfortable doing. Most students have come from living at home; a comfortable, familiar environment, surrounded by similar people with a regular routine.
In contrast, college students experience new environments, new people and are abruptly immersed into a new routine. And for many, this can be an overwhelming change.
Various factors may make some students more susceptible to homesickness than others. First generation and out of state students, students coming from diverse cultures, female students and those with a history of anxiety have an increased risk of homesickness. It can negatively affect academic performance, motivation and relationships with your peers.
It can also cause social withdrawal as well as sleep and eating disturbances. Although homesickness does not necessarily require treatment, is does not mean it will disappear overnight.
If left alone, homesickness can grow and lead to more serious conditions like anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is important to notice these feelings and take action.
Below are five tips to reduce homesickness:
- Be engaged: Try new things and participate in activities. Immerse yourself into the college experience, which is different for all students. You will meet people through these new activities. Getting engaged keeps the mind busy so there is less time to think about home and more time to think about new experiences.
- Make your new home a home you recognize: Although it is not possible to bring your room from home with you, it is still possible to make the feeling of your room a comfortable, familiar and safe environment. This can be as simple as bringing your own pillowcases or photos. This will be different for each student.
- Create a routine: University is the time to learn more about yourself. Creating a routine that suits who you are and your hobbies can help create a more positive and effective environment.
- Keep up with hobbies you took part in at home: It is crucial to try and keep your hobbies going, even if you are feeling down or a little consumed by your new life. This can be as easy as going to the gym, joining an intramural soccer team or reading a good book.
- Talk to someone: On campus’s resources are available and include the Counseling and Testing Center and The Women’s Center. We also have Vandal Heath Peer Educators in the SRC Well Space that are always happy to listen as well.