Dealing with Homesickness

You packed your bags, said your goodbyes, and showed up to college ready to start this big, exciting new chapter. But somewhere between unpacking your boxes and figuring out your class schedule, it hits you: you miss home. And not just a little. 

First things first: that is completely normal. Homesickness is not a sign of weakness; it is not something to be ashamed of, and it certainly does not mean you made the wrong choice. It means you love the people and the place you came from and that is something to be proud of. 

Here is a thought that might shift your perspective though: how lucky are you that you get to call two places home? Yes, it feels scary at first. Yes, it is overwhelming. But think about it: not everyone gets that. You have a home that raised you, shaped you, and loves you unconditionally, and you are building a new one. Two homes. Two worlds full of people who care about you. That is not a loss; that is an abundance. 

And speaking of people, let’s talk about family, because that definition is bigger than you think. Family is your parents, your siblings, your childhood friends who know every version of you. But family is also the girl down the hall who lent you her charger at midnight, the study group that turned into your people, the friends you now share every single moment of your semester with. Your college community is your family too, even if it does not feel that way just yet. Give it time. 

Now, for the practical side of things, here is what helps: 

Find what you miss most and bring it closer. Maybe it is a place, a person, a feeling, or even a smell. Whatever it is, try to find something on campus that echoes it. A coffee shop with the same cozy vibe as your favorite spot back home. A dish at a local restaurant that tastes like home. It does not have to be perfect, even five minutes of that familiar feeling can do wonders for your soul. 

Call the people you miss. This one sound obvious, but we are all guilty of burying our feelings under a pile of assignments and responsibilities. Hiding homesickness under the table does not make it go away; it just lets it grow. So, find the time. Stay up late if the time zones do not match. Devote a Saturday to the people who matter – a dinner, a lunch, a coffee, or even just a long phone call. If visiting is possible, do it. And if it is not, call them anyway. Not telling someone you miss them will not make you miss them any less. 

Bring a piece of home with you. Put something in your dorm room that reminds you of where you came from; a photo, an object, anything that carries that feeling. Every time you look at it, you will be reminded that those people, those places, and those feelings are real, and they are yours. They may not be your present every day, but they can always be your comfort. 

Homesickness is just love with nowhere to go in that moment. So let yourself feel it; and then let it remind you of just how rich your life really is. You are not leaving home behind. You are simply expanding it.