The Ultimate Guide to Beating Homesickness

When I started looking at colleges and filling out applications my senior year of high school, my main focus was to get out of my home state. However, I didn’t even consider the fact that I might miss home. My mindset was, “the further the better” and that was that. 

I ended up at Hofstra, 1234 miles away from home. It is a 20-hour drive or a 3-hour flight, and while I know others are much further away from home, I’m a Midwest girl in New York and wow, are some things different! It makes the homesickness a little worse when nothing is in any way familiar. The fast-paced, pushy, and aggressive lifestyle of New Yorkers has been quite the shock compared to my passive-aggressive, “Minnesota-nice” life back home so needless to say, it can get a little lonely. 

My first few weeks away at college flew as I met so many incredible people and had the time of my life. I didn’t have any serious homesickness until almost a month into college, and then it got pretty bad. Boy drama complied with the start of some heavier coursework left me sad, insecure and stressed. I worried I was making a mistake for being out here, so far from home without a job and without anything familiar and I also just really missed my mom. I was lucky enough for a homesick phone call to end with my parents buying plane tickets for Fall Break. 

Being home felt so good, and was exactly what I needed. I realized quickly after just six weeks away my family had a new schedule and daily life that no longer really included me. My room didn’t feel like my room, and while being in my home was very comforting, by the end of the 5 day weekend I was ready to return home to New York. 

Yes, you heard me right. Home. Hofstra. (My sister heard me call Hofstra home and she started crying. Oops.) 

Coming to terms with the fact that Hofstra is my home made leaving my family that much easier.  I won’t go as far as to say I am an expert at beating homesickness, but I have a good bit of experience. Now, everyone handles being away from home differently and for some, these tips won’t be enough. But for me, they did the trick and keep me from getting too sad about the fact that my next trip to Minnesota isn’t until Winter Break. 

Adah’s tips for beating homesickness

1. Stay Busy. You can’t think about home if you are too busy studying or partying! Getting out and off campus has been really good for me. The last thing on your mind is home you are exploring New York City or laying out at Jones Beach. Having great experiences and a great time keeps the homesickness at bay.  
2. Keep in contact, but not too much contact. For me, this has been crucial. My mom and I are best friends so making sure we don’t talk too much is important. If I talked to her all the time I would start to miss her even more and I would be sad all the time. 
3. Keep good people around. Having good friends has been so important for me. My girl squad keeps me from getting too sad and they keep me busy. Whenever I start to get sad they always know how to pick me up and it has been a lifesaver. 
4. Lean into it, for just a few minutes. Let yourself feel homesick, look at old pictures, listen to music and reminisce. Just set a timer on it. Literally. After a few minutes get up and go out. Leave your room and leave the sadness behind. Karaoke, comedy movies, or dancing with your friends are great ways to make you laugh and keep your mind off
5. Give it time. It is natural to miss home the first few weeks or months in college. Adjusting to a new place, new people, and new freedom can be very overwhelming. Missing home, your family and your pets aren’t unnatural or weird, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. It happens to everyone, even if we don’t want to admit it. Give it some time, and if you are feeling homesick don’t feel bad. It is an adjustment and with time, you will settle into life. However, if you are really struggling, don’t be afraid to visit the Wellness Center and set up an appointment to visit with a counselor about your transition. 

Beating homesickness really is just about giving it some time and staying busy. Keeping a full schedule and spending time with quality people to keep your mind off of home is very effective. With time, Hofstra or wherever you are will start to feel like home. 

• college
• homesickness