Homesickness is one of the most frighteningly striking emotions: it hits the unexpected when they least expect it, commencing disastrous and catastrophic ramifications along the way. Perhaps you have just begun your first year at a brand new school, or maybe you are starting at a your first real job halfway across the country, and finally living on your own. No matter the situation, homesickness is something that is experienced by mostly everyone at some point and time.
It can be hard to make the transition into a new experience; for most of your life, your family has always been there to support and assist you during any developmental and changing periods. For the first time in your existence, you don't have the safety and familiarity of your family to comfort you when you've had a difficult day. You no longer have the ability to temporarily forget all of the stress and burdens from everything and hide in your comfortable, secure home. For the first time in your life, you are constantly surrounded by all of the things that bring anxiety and pressure into your life that you used to be able to avoid: classes, friends, homework, coworkers-- the list goes on. The sudden overload of unwelcome difficulties is incredibly unsettling and challenging to adjust to, and is one of the main causes of homesickness.
Some people handle it better than others, and are able to jump right into everything by temporarily distracting themselves with activities like sports, going out, and working hard. But eventually, it all catches up, so putting yourself in a healthy, happy mindset and dealing with the problem head-on is the most proactive way to cope with homesickness. In short, getting involved can help you acclimate quicker and offers many benefits, but make sure you are doing it with the right mindset and objectives for yourself. It's okay to be sad, and you have a right to feel any way that you do. Embrace these feelings, and carry them with you as you forge ahead.
There is no "cure" for homesickness, but I can offer you this: you now possess the power and control in your life to achieve anything you want. You have the freedom and capability to pursue anything that you desire to do, because there are so many more opportunities in the place that you are right now. You are going to meet people who may possibly become your lifelong friends. You will establish relationships and connections with professors and adults that will allow you to obtain coveted internships and jobs in the future. You will succeed.
Take comfort in knowing that there are millions of other people all around the world right now who are experiencing the same feelings of fear and sadness. Know that overcoming homesickness is not a change that happens overnight, and although adaptation and adjustment takes time, you will be stronger in the end.
