I think that it is a clear and common fact that when moving away for college you get homesick. It affects everyone differently. Some have family a short thirty-minute drive away, while others are continents away from their family. Some feel the effects of homesickness slowly with it building in their gut, but others feel it all at once like a ton of bricks thrown on them.

Even people who leave home indifferent, feel the emptiness at some point. For many, myself included, homesickness is the worst when they are actually sick for the first time away from their parents. When I had a fever all I could think of was the long trek I would have to take if I wanted soup or any food for that matter. At home, I would only have to travel a few steps to the kitchen to whip up a quick bowl of chicken noodle soup, and that is if my mom or dad didn't make it for me!

Though I am new to the college game, I have discovered a few ways to overcome homesickness and live my college days with as much enthusiasm as they deserve.

1. Reach out to other people.

Now I know that this is easier said than done, but people are just as nervous about making friends and leaving home as everyone else. A simple smile or hello to the person next to you in class can go a long way in generating conversation. Friends are the best distraction from what you are missing at home because you can laugh and do other fun things that you wouldn't necessarily be able to do back home. Sharing the awkward beginning of college with others is what makes it bearable or even fun.

2. Join clubs or get involved.

This one is kind of coupled with reaching out to people because joining clubs is the best way to make friends. Joining clubs gets you in touch with people who have the same interests as you, and everyone knows that commonalities are the best way to spark connections. Classes and parties can be fun too, but in both situations, the conversations are not usually very stimulating or lasting. Meeting those while doing something that you are passionate about makes the friendship stronger and more organic, especially if you initiate it yourself.

3. Call home.

Calling home can help with the detached feeling you have from your family, but I think it is important to do this modestly. If you call home too frequently then it can have the opposite effect, and make you more homesick because you will want to actually see your family rather than hear a disembodied voice from your cell phone. However, the best thing about calling home is the support that your family can provide about making friends. Siblings and parents can also make you laugh and ease some anxiety because they obviously know you best, just do not use this as a crutch try to make an effort to talk to your family less out of need and more out of wanting to catch up and stay connected.

4. Don't fall behind on your school work.

School work is a great distraction from other thoughts, especially homesickness, however (again), do not use this as a clutch because if you are constantly studying, you are secluding yourself from your peers and environment, which will have the opposite effect, making you feel more alone. On the other hand, it is also detrimental to fall behind on your school work. If you are already stressed about being away from home, failing classes will not bring any relief, so try to do your work as it comes especially at the beginning.

5. Don't just stay inside all day, go outside!

Fresh air and the sun, or any type of weather is good to get your body and mind comfortable with your new living conditions. Part of homesickness is missing the actual physical home, so if you go outside (regardless of the weather) you can familiarize and eventually learn to love your new home the way you love your old one. No, dorms and college life can never really live up to home's standards, but being comfortable with your surroundings reduces the desire to go back home.