One of the most challenging parts of moving back into school for me is feeling homesick. As much as I love my school and am always having fun, there is always a small part of me that misses my parents, my siblings, my friends back home and my dog. There are several things I do every day throughout the year to help me cope with the feeling of homesickness, and I made a list of a few things for you to try when you're missing home.

1. FaceTime

FaceTime is my favorite way to talk to my family and friends when I'm away from home. Something about being able to hear a person's voice as well as seeing their face always makes conversation more meaningful and special. I felt like I was really there hanging out with that person. I made a routine of FaceTiming my family at least once a week throughout the year.

2. Don't spend too much time alone.

Having time to yourself is rare in college and usually much appreciated. However, I found that when I was by myself in my dorm room for a long period of time, I would begin to feel lonely and think about home. Hanging out or studying with friends is a great way to keep your mind off of missing home.

3. Hang pictures of your family and friends.

It may sound silly, but having pictures of my family and friends hanging in my room made it seem like I had a sense of home at college. By having that presence, I felt that my life at home and at college were combined together instead of being far away from one another.

4. Send care packages to your friends at other schools.

Making and sending care packages to your friends is a fun and creative way to keep in touch with them and let them know that you still care. It's always fun getting a surprise in the mail from a friend you don't get to see very often.

5. Start a new show on Netflix with someone from home.

Starting a new show on Netflix or sharing some sort of other routine with someone from home will give you another sense of connection. You will be experiencing the show with them without having to be together and it will also give you more to discuss with that person, resulting in more frequent conversation.