The transition from home to college can be a challenge. My freshman year was tough, and I definitely caught a case of the dreaded “homesick blues” which hit differently for everybody. I had a spring in my step the first week and was ready to take on college; however, as soon as the second week hit, I was ready for a hug from my parents. Meanwhile, some of my friends didn’t get homesick until the end of the first month or they didn’t get homesick at all! As envious as I was of their happiness, I picked up on some tips of how to beat the “homesick blues.” Although I still caught a small case of it this year, I was able to implement some of these handy tricks and they seemed to help a lot. Now I want to help you! Below are five tips I’ve learned on how to beat the “homesick blues!”
#1: Don’t go home within the month of getting to college
Even if you are homesick, toughing it out and building bonds with new people (or familiar ones) will be better for you in the long run. During the first couple weeks of college was when I met some of my best friends that I am still friends with today! As hard as it is to resist the temptation of making that drive (or ride) home, I highly recommend staying on campus and reaching out to new people.
#2: Hang up pictures on your wall and keep mementos from home in your dorm room
Before I went to school in the morning, my mom was always there to tell us kids “goodbye” or “have a great day!” Seeing familiar faces (especially my mom’s) in the morning, helps me start my day as normal as possible. Sometimes it is also nice to have something familiar to look and smile at after a long, stressful day.
#3: Keep yourself busy
The more downtime you have, the more you will sit and think about the good times back home. Eventually, you will find yourself overthinking, and that is always a bad rabbit hole to go down. Most colleges allow freshmen to move in a little bit earlier than upperclassmen so they can get acquainted to the campus; this is typically called Welcome Week. Don’t overload yourself or you could become exhausted. Instead, attend fun events hosted by your college. This will help you make more friends too!
#4: Call or video chat with your family!
Hearing my parents’ and sisters’ voices when I missed them was just enough to cure my “homesick blues” by itself. Sometimes it only takes my parents’ voices telling me everything will work out and their reassuring smiles to help ease my anxiety. Of course, this is different for everyone, but I definitely recommend giving it a try.
The most common type of video chat is Facetime, but that is specifically for iPhones. If you have an Android (like me), consider using one of the following— Facebook Messenger, Google Duo or Snapchat.
#5: Try to stay positive!
I know it is easier said than done, but it is important to keep an open and positive mindset when trying new things and transitioning to college. When decorating your dorm room, consider using warm, vibrant colors. When choosing a laptop background, try finding one with an inspirational quote that tends to your personality. Even if you don’t notice, little things like these can influence your daily mood!
If you want to beat the Homesick Blues, then follow these tips as best as you can! If you are feeling sad in general, but you aren’t missing home, you should check out 30 Simple Ways to Self-Care When Face Masks & Bath Bombs Just Aren’t Cutting It because your mental health should be your first priority!