It's been one week since everyone has moved in and began their first week of classes. But no matter what year you are, you're bound to miss home a little bit. Being a first generation college student in my family, I had no older siblings to look up to when I missed home or needed help with scheduling, so I decided I wanted to be everyones big sister when they leave home to come to college. Here's my tips for the homesick college student.
1. If you have a special blanket or animal that you've had forever, bring it.
I brought many stuffed animals with me my first semester, some of which I've had since I was a baby, or just ones that mean something to me. I also brought one of my favorite blankets to Capital. It helps to have something familiar when you're sad at night and need something to hold.
2. Bring pictures of your family and family pets.
I love to take pictures of the ones I love and keep them to look at later. I've found that tacking some of my favorites up on my wall really helps me feel better about being so far away from them. It's cheap and easy to print some out at a drug store and just tape them up by your bed or desk, and this way you can always see them.
3. Get involved.
It's easy to feel homesick when you're constantly hiding from the world in your room watching Netflix. But no matter how great that is, being outside and making friends can cure a large amount of your homesickness.
4. Reach out to friends and family back home.
Calling my friends and family back home really made me feel better my first year at Capital. It was always fun to FaceTime them and see their faces. You can even give them a virtual tour of your dorm room or of campus.
5. Never be ashamed to see a counselor if you start to feel depressed.
My depression got worse when I was so far away from home, and going to see a counselor at the Health and Wellness Center benefited me greatly. I was even lucky enough to bring my cat to campus this semester to help with invisible illnesses. Having her here makes my homesickness much more tolerable.
While college is a great adventure, it's okay to miss home and question why your perfect college is so far away. But, trust me, everything will always work out in the end. And if you ever need help or want to cuddle a cat, I'm your girl. Just look for the purple hair!
Goodbye, goodbye, be always kind and true.
