As a college freshman myself, I both observe and feel the pains of being away from home for the very first time. In my freshman seminar class, our professor asked us what advice we would give to other students who were feeling homesick. The answers varied from, "suck it up," to "just go home." For me however, I have found that there are many alternatives to these, ones that are easier and provide for immediate relief of that awful homesick feeling.
1. Go out with your friends.
When I say out, I don't necessarily mean to a restaurant or to a party. I mean get out of your dorm room. I always feel the worst when I've been trapped in that tiny, enclosed space for too long. Meet up to study with some friends in the community room or ask anyone to go for a run with you. Being with other people can help take your mind off your stresses.
2. Call your parents.
Once you go home, you're giving into your negative emotions. The key is to get used to being in the college environment and make that your new home. Calling your parents can give you that immediate relief from the homesick feeling even though your still in the same place.
3. Get motivated.
In order to take your mind off of being away from home, you need to change your train of thought. The best way to do this is to make some sort of goal that will keep your mind occupied for extended periods of time. For example, motivate yourself to get a certain GPA and study your butt off, attend help sessions, visit your professor during office hours, and whatever else your university provides for academic success.
4. Join a club.
Joining a club or program at your school not only gets your mind off of your worries, but also helps you make friends and create an identity for yourself on campus. Finding where you belong helps you become rooted to your school. Your homesickness is due to feeling out of place and being separated from all the things that you knew. Establishing that new identity and making a place for yourself will help you create a new identity.
5. Plan out when you will go home.
It's normal for college freshman to want to go home. Problems arise when you go home every weekend or go home just when you've had a bad day. Plan out the weekends that you'll go home and make sure you stick to it. This will help you get adjusted to college without going home constantly.
