On August 16th, I moved into my dorm, leaving me alone for four days. I cried and begged for an ounce of comfort but it never seemed to come. I was told when school picked up things would get better because I would be busy with school, running, and activities, and as I was told, things got better— but not great. However, despite my feelings, I kept smiling and counting down the days until I could go home, where I knew I would feel alright again. Home is where I find my happiness and contentment. It provides me with protection and support and home is where I continually long to be. I have always and will always (more than likely) be a homebody. I have never been outgoing or good at making friends quickly. I don't trust or open up easily and am not quick to talk to someone if I have to initiate the conversation. So why packing my bags and moving 200 miles from home where I knew a handful of people sounded like a good idea, I am not sure, but I know that when I feel alone, overwhelmed, or homesick, there has to be someone else that feels the same way.

So this article is for you: the student that counts down for four meager days until they can return home. This is for the student that misses home so much you haven't stayed on a campus a single weekend. This is for the student who appears to have it all together but on the inside, you're crumbling and no one knows. This is for the student who hasn't made many friends because you're constantly overwhelmed with assignments that seem to never end. This one is for the student that feels alone and as if the hole you're in only gets deeper. This is for the student who FaceTimes or calls their parents or friends every day because you miss them beyond belief. This article is for you. The ones who would rather stay in their dorm than watch an intramural game because they don't know anyone there anyway. The students who don't know why they seem outcast among a full table of people. The students who are constantly looking for excuses to go home. This is for the students who are just like me.

This is where I am supposed to say “but everything will get better, don't worry just keep doing what you're doing.” This is where I am supposed to tell you this is your new home and you need to stay wherever you are and give it a chance. I am supposed to tell you not to stress, just have fun. I am supposed to provide you some source of encouragement because what kind of article would this be if I didn’t? Consequently, this homesick, overwhelmed girl that gives off the persona “I’m okay, I am going to be just fine,” doesn't have all the answers either, but maybe just the tip of the iceberg.

Students who are introverted, overwhelmed homebodies like me are the ones that walk up the stairways with a smile on their face because everyone else does. Students who are introverted, overwhelmed homebodies hide their feelings because no one else understands. Students who are introverted, overwhelmed homebodies are “going to be just fine.” But they aren’t.

God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us all voices, ears, and emotions, so why don't we use them? We sit in our dorm rooms and call our families, but we don't get out and talk to someone who might become our best friend. We let our emotions rule our thoughts and don't want others to know we are anything other than just “fine.” I don't know what you're particularly going through, but I understand how hard it is to be away from all you've ever known. Being a homebody without a home is like being a fish without water— it doesn't work. But luckily we are surrounded by new ears and voices that could provide us with a fresh outlook.

But we sit in our dorms. We forget we have a purpose everywhere we go. We are where we are for a special and unknown reason, but only we can change our fake smile into a faithful smile. We have been placed here. "Here" for some may never be our home away from home, but "here" can give you a new perspective if you realize you aren't “just fine,” and open up to another set of ears.