We all have those days when the homesick syndrome hits us harder than usual. If you’re someone like me who lives three hours away from home, there’s not an “easy” way for you to see your family at any given time. These homesick feelings seem to get especially rough when a majority of your friends live close to home and can visit there anytime they want. I’ve been at Bona’s for about a month now and I’ve certainly felt homesick at times, but I’ve managed to find a few ways to cope with that and I thought I would share these little tricks!
1. The most important part to realizing you’re homesick is to admit it.
You have to realize that what you’re feeling is completely normal. Don’t avoid the fact that you miss your family just because you’re embarrassed—it’s likely that there are others who feel the exact same way as you!
2. Keep yourself busy.
Go out with friends, have a good work out, get involved in clubs or activities or even throw yourself into your school work! Sometimes the best way to not feel homesick is to keep your mind off of it and constantly keep doing things. It’s good to be around people and try new things—so go out there and explore the opportunities!
3. Talk it out.
Express your feelings to your friends. Have a heart-to-heart and maybe even a good cry because I guarantee that it’ll make you feel better in the end! If you’re quiet person who doesn’t like to talk about your feelings, then write things down in a journal. I find that writing is the best way to convey my emotions when I’m feeling down.
4. Make your dorm feel as “homey” as it can be!
When you make your dorm feel cozy and cute, it’ll help remind you of your room at home. I make sure my bed is filled with lots of comfy pillows and blankets. I have pictures hanging of my friends and family all over my room and whenever I’m feeling down, I just look up and I’m instantly reminded of so many great memories! At the end of a long day of classes, you want to be able to come back to your room and relax and feel like you’re at home.
5. Frequent FaceTime chats with fam & friends.
Sometimes having long FaceTime convos with your family is the perfect way to catch up. You don’t want to talk to your family so often that it’s keeping you from doing things on campus, but it’s important to talk to your friends and family on a weekly basis to tell them how things are going! I find that long phone calls with my mom always lift my spirits if I’m missing my family.
6. Stay Positive!
Think about all of the great things you’re doing in college! The fact that you’re going to college is an accomplishment in itself and should help you stay positive when it seems like everything is against you. You have to learn to have the “glass half-full” outlook on life because everything happens for a reason, and there are always better things that lie ahead.
7. Realize that the Bona fam is the BEST fam out there.
You have to come to the realization that this is your new home because this is where you’re spending the majority of your time. There are so many people at Bonaventure that are here for you and will support you no matter how you’re feeling!