Month 1 of College
Meeting new people and moving to a whole new city is a bit nerve-wracking and exhausting, but it’s AMAZING. Being away from home is a new adventure, an entirely new experience, and I can’t wait to get started. There’s so much to do: A beautiful city to explore and learn the ins and outs of, tasty food to try out, people from around the world to share stories with! Home was great, but it was time for a change, and this is wonderful.
Month 2 of College
Things are still going really well. I’ve met lots of interesting people and made some good friends. Hearing about what’s going on at home from my parents is nice, because I don’t want to feel out of the loop. I find myself referring to my dorm as “home,” and that’s when I know I’m settling it for the long run. I think of home from time to time, but the new-found freedom is still a thrill.
Month 3 of College
Homesickness kicks in. Hard. I download an app on my phone to count down the days until I can get on a plane and fly home, until I can sleep in my own bed and eat homemade food. I don’t feel at all bad about leaving college for a bit, especially since I know I’ll be back before I know it. I reminisce about the last time I was home, the places I can’t wait to see again, the friends I miss talking to, the restaurants I want to eat at.
Month 4 of College
Being home for break was excellent, and being back at school with college friends is also great! My much-needed getaway is over, and it’s time to get back to hitting the books for a while. My thirst to be home has been quenched, but the excitement of moving in to college and to a new city has somewhat lost its appeal, and the desire to be back home hits more quickly this time around.
Month 5 of College
Trying out new classes, new restaurants, new activities—on and off campus—is the best way to get over the realization that spring break is still a world away, and summer is nowhere in sight. Facetiming my parents back home and my friends who are also away at college and feeling the same homesickness also helps the heart.
Month 6 of College
Spring break at home fills me with just enough motivation and happiness to get through the rest of the school year. I realize that summer will be here soon enough, and I just have to make the most of what time I have left. Now that the first signs of spring are showing, my friends and I make plans to get to know our new home better.
Month 7 of College
Finals are around the corner, and I can taste summer! I once again crave all that my home has to offer, and as much as I’ll miss all of the wonderful experiences I had this school year in a new city with new people, I can’t wait to spend a few months at home before going through this all again. Hopefully next year the homesickness won’t be as bad.
