It's a normal feeling, even though you feel helpless, when it creeps upon you. Everyone experiences homesickness at least once in your life (don't lie). For me, it happened a couple of weeks into my freshman year. The first week or two are exciting. You are making new friends, finding your classes and joining organizations. Once everything settled, I started missing my family. You miss the comfort of your family, your home, your high school friends and your hometown. Everyone has felt it and most have gotten through the feeling of being homesick.
It understandable to miss home when you are thrown into a unfamiliar dorm with a bunch of unfamiliar people. The first thing you need to understand is all of those unfamiliar faces are also missing home. Some show it differently but they are all thinking about their pets and bedroom at home.
Getting to know the people and environment around you will help. The people down the hall are the ones that will help you navigate the student union and the dining halls. They will be the ones you share all of these new experiences with. It's also a good idea to walk around the campus a few times, or at least find where your classes are. The more you are comfortable with campus, the more it will begin to feel like your new home.
Joining organizations that you connect with will also help you get through the homesickness. It will take your mind off of your home. Creating a space of your own on campus and finding the groups that you fit into will make you feel like you belong. Many of these organizations have social events the first few weeks so you get to know each other. When you see these friendly faces around campus, don't be afraid to say "hi".
You don't have to completely disconnect from your home. Having a scheduled FaceTime call every week with your family back home might be a good idea. They are missing you just as much as you are missing them. Fill them in on all of the new people you've met and the new things you've experienced. Don't forget about your friends from high school. Sometimes planning visits to each other's campuses may be just what you need.
Don't get stuck in your own head. Your homesickness will pass sooner rather than later. Staying positive will most definitely help. This transition of moving away, taking new classes, meeting new people and living in a new environment isn't easy... but it will get better. Remember: it's not like you're never going to go home. Fall break is right around the corner and it will come faster than you think.
