Freshman or not, everyone at some point in their college career experiences the effects of being homesick. When summer was coming to an end, I was more than ready to come back to campus. I missed my friends, missed my social life, missed my favorite coffee spots, and oddly missed the classroom setting. The first couple weeks of college, I guess I was too busy to even notice I was missing my family, but now that classes are becoming routine and the workload is getting heavier, I want to go home and Thanksgiving is not close enough. Feeling the same way, here are some ways to fight being homesick?
You are never too old to be homesick!
I don't care if this is your fourth year in college away from home, everyone has that instant heartbreak of missing your family, even your pets. Sometimes I FaceTime my family just to see my cat and I know many can relate. If you have some down time in between class or no time at all, schedule time to talk with your family even if it's just to check in. If you're having a problem in one of your classes or an issue with a friend, your loved ones are always a trustworthy ear that can separate your irrational thoughts and make your day a little brighter.
Is FaceTiming or calling your parents too often a bad thing?
I think this is a personal preference and if talking to your mom more than once a day may make you're homesick worse. For me, my mom is my best friend and talking to her at any chance I get makes me feel like I am with her. For some people the more you talk to your loved ones, the more the distance is an issue. My best advice is to limit your contact times to once every other day until this feeling goes away.
Should I book a flight home tonight?
NEVER! The more you aid your homesick, the more it becomes a problem. There is likely a higher chance if you make trips back home, you may reconsider your life at a college out of state. It's OK to realize that out of state college is not for you, but some might do better by setting a date for coming home. Countdowns always helped me so I could look forward to coming home and reuniting with my loved ones.
I feel alone!
Even if you are an hour away from home, many are going through the same thing. if you ever have this feeling, talk to your friends, or even get involved! Getting involved on campus, intramurals, or clubs that interest you will make time go by faster and give you reasons to look forward to coming back to campus whenever its time to return.
The feeling you have is normal and if someone says they have never gotten homesick they are 100% covering up the fact that they have missed home at least a few times throughout the semester.
