The middle of the semester is creeping closer and closer, and with it often comes the dreaded feeling of homesickness. At this point, it seems like ages since we’ve been home. Do our dogs even remember us? Thoughts of hometown friends and meals consisting of food other than ramen is enough to send us all into a state of mournfully waiting for the next break from school. But in the meantime, here are some ideas to try the next time you find yourself with the homesick blues.
FaceTime is a wonderful invention.
Texts and phone calls are great, but nothing beats seeing a person in the flesh, and FaceTiming or Skyping is the next best bet. So the next time you’re missing your mom, surprise her and give her a call. She probably needs it just as much as you do. And there’s nothing wrong with just needing to hear her voice sometimes.
Stay connected.
College life keeps us all pretty busy, so maybe there’s no time for a phone call, but you still want to talk to all your old friends. Send a text and reach out! Even a simple message is a good way to keep in touch. It doesn’t have to be constant, but catching up every other week or so is a good way to make sure you’re still hearing about each other’s lives. If you need more structure though, try setting a specific date to fill each other in, and stick to it.
Explore your new city.
Moving to a new place is always intimidating, but don’t let a fear of the unknown keep you from getting to know your new home away from home. Get out and explore a little. Find a new place to get coffee, or a study spot that’s not in the library. It will make a big, new city a lot less daunting.
Talk to some friends here.
It always helps to talk to other people who are going through similar situations, and your friends here at school will at least be little more accessible. Not to mention that two support systems are better than one. You never know, they could be feeling homesick, too. So talk it through with someone and a pint of ice cream, or whatever makes you feel better.
Bring mementos from home.
Whether it’s pictures of friends and family, your favorite stuffed animal, or special little trinkets, bring things from home that have meaning to you. Everytime you look at them, you’ll be comforted by the piece of home you have with you miles away. Or if you love candles, there’s always these adorable candles that are supposed to smell like certain states. Obsessed.
Look on the bright side…
Remember that homesickness is usually just about adjusting to new surroundings and getting used to being away from the people and places most familiar to you. While it may seem rough right now, it does get better! Try to stay positive and keep looking forward, there are so many good things to come.