There comes a point in every college student’s year when harsh reality comes crashing down. College is now home, not in your warm childhood bed, not in the car you used to drive down familiar streets, and not where you ate home-cooked meals perfected by chefs Mom and Dad. At this point in a college student’s career, feeling homesick is inevitable. This is completely normal, and, I might add, we have all been there. The good news is, there is a cure! Multiple, actually. We also have all made it through this phase by following specific criteria that inform us of what NOT to do when this time comes.
1. Don’t curl up into the fetal position all weekend in your dorm room.
OK, maybe a couple hours of pure self pity will do you some good.
2. Don't reminisce about your mother’s home-cooked lasagna or your dad’s freshly grilled steak.
Go make yourself your own meal with your friends and try a few new recipes. Or just get take out — that's always fun.
3. Don’t eat an entire package of Oreo cookies in one sitting. Try a healthy snack that you enjoy instead.
You are not invincible — the freshman 15 still applies to you.
4. Don’t FaceTime your parents. They’re probably busy getting on with their lives.
And you should be, too.
5. Don't even think about driving home.
Turn around and go somewhere instead! Hey, there's always Thursday night karaoke at Applebee's.
6. Don't hide yourself in your work.
You have friends that will be there for you through anything.
7. Don’t go looking through any photo albums on your computer.
It’ll only make you miss Max’s furry face more.
8. Don’t text all of your high school friends.
Your college friends are only a residence hall away or sitting right in front of you.
9. Don’t binge-watch your favorite show in sweatpants.
Go outside, it’s probably pretty nice out.
10. And whatever you do, DON’T listen to Sarah McLachlan’s, "In the Arms of an Angel."
Turn on some corny pop music, or get a little old school with the theme song to Rocky.
