No One Should Be Ashamed Of Feeling Homesick In College
Start writing a post
Education

No One Should Be Ashamed Of Feeling Homesick In College

I'm going into my third year of college, and I still get homesick very frequently.

142
No One Should Be Ashamed Of Feeling Homesick In College

It is now August, and that means it's the time when everyone goes back to school. So, naturally, I've been thinking a lot about the new school year beginning and also experiencing a range of emotions about the weeks and months that lie ahead.

For most college students, they are extremely excited for the school year to begin because that means having the freedom to do whatever they so please, not to mention reuniting with their friends who they haven't seen since school let out for summer. As for me and I'm sure for many others, the start of a new school year is accompanied by excitement for new classes, new professors, and being reunited with my fraternity brothers. But despite all of that it also comes with major anxiety about a multitude of things but especially about, once again, feeling overwhelmingly homesick and sad to leave my family, even if I do only live two and a half hours away.

For a while I felt as though I should feel ashamed for being homesick much of the time, I soon realized that it happens to literally everyone, regardless of how far or close they are from home. In addition, after a while, I realized it was okay to feel homesick, because let's face it, even though college offers students the opportunity to experience freedom from adult supervision among many other things, for many students this is their first time away from home and from their families for an extended period of time. In fact, that's what it was like for me. It was my first time being away from home for an extended period of time, apart from going to a sleep-away camp for a week as a kid. But by no means is this the only "acceptable" reason for someone to feel homesick. In fact, you shouldn't worry whether or not your reason for feeling homesick is "acceptable" or not, because it doesn't matter.

In fact, no one should ever feel ashamed or embarrassed about feeling homesick. It doesn't matter how old you are - everyone experiences it. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Feeling homesick doesn't make you weak or any less cool, and if people say it does, then they are not worth associating with.

Simply put, homesickness is natural, it's normal, and it is especially natural when someone goes off to or back to college. Lets put it this way, if you are leaving your home, a place that is so familiar and comfortable to you and then move to a place that you are relatively unfamiliar with, away from your family and friends, you are bound to be homesick.

My dad tells me this all the time when I am away at school and am feeling homesick: "Just like college, your dorm is temporary, your home, where you came from, is permanent." Remember this quote the next time you feel homesick at school.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39989
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24548
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950414
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

130533
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments