Every college student feels homesick at least once in his or her college career. Homesickness can come from a multitude of different problems, whether it's that they miss their family, friends, home cooked food, or even just because they miss their bed at home. Personally, my homesickness comes from all of these and more. I grew up extremely close to my family, enjoying my mom’s amazing meals, and with an extremely comfortable bed, so I know exactly what it feels like.
I’m here to tell you that you can get through it, and you will. Pick up the phone and call your family, ask your mom to come visit on a weekend (and to bring some of her homemade soup with her). More than anything else, realize the difference between basic homesickness and other possible illnesses that you could have. If you really need to, talk to an on-campus counselor or therapist to make sure that it isn’t anything more.
Here are a few ways to cope with your homesickness.
1. Call the people you miss.
Call your parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, whoever. I guarantee they probably miss you just as much as you miss them. You could even Skype or FaceTime them. That fancy laptop of yours does more than just play Netflix and write papers.
2. Do something that you loved to do at home.
Eat your favorite comfort foods, go to religious services, or even just take a walk around town (given that you’re in a safe place). This could help you connect home with where you are going to school, easing the homesickness.
3. Get plenty of exercise.
Not only does exercising help with easing stress, it could also help burn off all of those extra calories you’re consuming when eating your favorite comfort foods. Your body also releases endorphins, the “feel-good hormones,” when you exercise. Exercising can also help boost your immune system to keep you from actually getting sick. Be sure to take time out of your week to go to the gym, it will really help.
4. Get involved.
No matter who you talk to, whether it be a counselor at your school or your RA, they will always (or should always) tell you to get involved. Joining a club or team will help you keep your mind off of home. Find something you love to do or are interested in, and join a club centered around it. Is there not a club for what you love? Make one.
5. Step out of your comfort zone.
If you don’t get out there and meet new people, you’ll never be able to live away from home. Start with small steps, like introducing yourself to your floor mates if you haven’t done so already, or ask someone in one of your classes to start a study group with you.
If you face the facts, you are probably only away from home for a few weeks at a time with all the breaks that colleges give students now. If you truly believe that you can’t make it that long without seeing your pets or sleeping in your bed, call up your parents and ask them to come get you for a weekend. If you’re relatively close to home, they’ll understand.
