T.S. Eliot wisely acknowledged that “Home is where one starts from”. After getting that high school diploma the glamorization of gaining independence blinds us from the fact that we are parting from our loved ones. College truly sheds light on how precious home is to us. Sometimes the nostalgia that stems from being away from home is overwhelming and perplexing. You may be thinking, “I thought this was what I wanted” or “I desperately wanted to leave home why am I so depressed now?”. Unless this nostalgia interferes with performance in the classroom or daily activities, it is completely normal. Luckily, there are several strategies to help battle these disheartening feelings.
1. It is OK to call home
Many will say to completely resist the urge to pick up the phone and call your parents or siblings. While being on the phone could potentially worsen the homesickness, it could also provide one with a sense of being at home again. When we are at home there is constant interacting with our loved ones. Phones are that source of interaction with our loved ones when we are unable to face to face in the house. We also are incredibly fortunate to live in a time where video chat exists. Therefore, I am a strong advocate for calling home once a day in order to keep that ongoing communication.
2. Make it an exciting countdown
This is one of the main strategies that has never let me down. For some mysterious reason countdowns are very enticing to people. Everywhere I look on Facebook or Instagram, I see countdowns for birthdays, vacations, and other special occasions. Lets face it: we love counting down. So therefore, next time you are bombarded with homesickness, look at the calendar and choose the next date that you will go home. Then by simply taking it one day at a time you will relieve a massive amount of stress. At the end of the day, praise yourself and make it an effort to acknowledge how many more days until you are home again. Trust me, this is reassuring and motivates you to take it one day at a time.
3. It’s OK to release tears
I guarantee you probably heard this one being preached before. I can tell you that holding in your emotions is detrimental to both your physical and emotional health. This excessive stress will indisputably destroy your immune system and ability to get a good night rest. Therefore, I repeat that it is OK to cry. Crying does not characterize you as a weak individual. Instead it defines you as a normal human being with feelings. Releasing these emotions is crucial to our health and I assure you that you will always feel better afterwards.
4. Keep Busy
Always keep busy. Read a book, write, work out, go out with friends, get a head start on that paper due next week ,talk on the phone, play a game. Do what you love most so you are never bored. It will make time go by faster than it would by sitting around. Staying productive is an immense key to escaping nostalgia.
5. Talk To Somebody
This unites with the previous tactic of not keeping our emotions trapped inside. Talk to a reliable friend, significant other, advisor, or counselor. There is always somebody willing to listen. Keeping your feelings secluded will just make your overall college experience more stressful.
Next time you are feeling homesick think of these solutions to help cure your yearning for home.
