The transition into college is undeniably difficult, throwing you surprises and new stressors just when you think you’ve got the hang of it. Even for upperclassmen, moving back into school after the summer can make you feel like you’ve never done it before. It’s easy to long for the months full of sunny warm weather, when you had little to no responsibilities. Within the whirlwind of transitioning back to classes and a packed, stressful schedule, it’s completely understandable to fall into a bout of homesickness. Especially for those that go to school far from home, where a last minute weekend trip is out of the question, being away from what you’re comfortable with is difficult. You fail to realize how important people are in your life until the only opportunity to see their face is through a screen (if you’re lucky enough to find an overlapping moment of freedom to talk).
Technology can be a wonderful thing, but sometimes it makes you feel farther from people. When you’re first acclimating to college, calling your parents everyday can make it much harder (although their advice is always helpful). The best thing you can do is find a support system within your new community and friends. Whether you realize it or not, all the people around you are going through the same thing. Busy yourself with them- whether it’s finding a group of people to get breakfast with, a study buddy to go to the library with, or a friend to explore your new surroundings with. Making friends and forcing yourself out of your comfort zone, although entirely easier said than done, is the best way to beat your homesickness.
While occupying yourself with all the new exciting things around you, it also can be beneficial to keep some small reminders of home within reach. Some examples could be bringing a fuzzy blanket from home, or the squishmallow that used to be in your bedroom, keeping the cereal your mom always bought on hand, or visiting the crappy chain restaurant that’s the same exact food in every state. These things may seem small, but they can all bring a sense of home and comfort into college life without overwhelming you with how much you miss it.
Being homesick is one of the worst feelings, but the good news is that every single college student has experienced it in some way to a degree. It can be easy to feel isolated and lonely in such a big new place, but with the understanding that everyone is quite literally in the same boat, college can begin to feel a bit less intimidating.