Whether your on vacation or miles away at college, being away from friends and family is never easy. You'll often find the simplest things reminding you of a memory you had with people back home and then almost instantly become homesick. Although time helps lessen the effects of homesickness, it never exactly goes away. It's important to come up with ideas and ways to stay in contact with the people you miss because it may or may not be awhile until you see them in person again depending on the situation.

Living in the 21st Century, people try to justify that being away from home should not be a problem because of the technology we currently have. Personally, I think it helps, but it is also not a solution to these feelings. Although it is really important to call and text friends and family, it's not quite the same as being home with them.

Something that may help you is having something to look forward to. For example, if you know when you will see them again, make a plan as to what you are going to do once you return home or visit them. This will give you something to look forward to and even count down the days or months until. Whenever you're feeling down, you'll be able to remember that you're going to see your friends or family in a few weeks or months and this may make you feel better.

In terms of what may make these feelings worse, try to avoid dwelling on the fact that you have not seen this people for awhile and that everything is so much different now. You're old life will be completely the same as soon as you return home, so try your best to enjoy the time away for now. Keep up with your friends by facetiming or texting, but don't consistently think about the fact that you are separated. Now is the time to make new memories and establish new friendships, so take advantage of that idea.

It is without a doubt difficult and will continue to get better as time goes on, but don't stress about it. Everyone is going through it and knows exactly how you feel whether they express it or not.