Leaving to go live on your own, is typically a challenge for most. It’s rare that people are used to being away from home for this long, but personally I came to college thinking that I would never experience it. I came from a military family, where my friends never stayed for too long, and my family was always busy with something. Which was true for the first semester. I felt at peace, and was exploring, and was really distracted from those emotions for a while.
Spring semester though, has truly been kicking my butt. I’ll be as real as possible, there’s some days where I just need a hug from my best friend and I just have to cry for a bit. It’s not easy and everyone experiences it. I don’t know what causes it, and why it hit so hard this semester, but in hopes of helping someone else, this is how I’m combating it.
1. Stay Proactive
The last thing I want to do when I’m struggling with homesickness is to do my homework or to go to the gym, but I promise it helps. Taking a nap, or just laying around gives you more time to think about it. Going for a run or pumping out a paper has been so helpful for me. I truly love to just go to the gym and pump out a good twenty minutes on the treadmill, it clears my mind and redirects my prospective into something more productive.
2. Be Aware of your Emotions
I know this sounds counterproductive to my last remark. Hear me out, I know none of us want to sit and cry, because mascara is expensive, and it feels gross. Some of the time, you just gotta let it out. Especially as freshman, I know that it’s weighing on a relationship with your roommate if not. You may become bitter and snappy, so just tell them what’s up. If you can’t express that to them, find a good friend you can. If that isn’t your thing, have a good cry sesh. It’s oddly therapeutic.
3. Set aside an hour to:
For me, I set aside an hour each week to DANCE. No, I’m not good at it. I just put on a sports bra and rock out to some P!nk or some One Direction or something fun. I just dance around my room and go at it! Maybe that’s reading for you, or writing, or singing, or having a spa day. Find something that is just simply therapeutic for you. I recommend dance. Get a hallmate or your roommate or a pal involved and just turn on some wild playlist and dance by yourself, it has changed my life.
4. Spend some nights in
For some people, a busy schedule is a lonely one. Have a few nights a month where you cancel plans and stay in and watch a movie. Have a girl’s night. Play chocolate monopoly. Bake some cookies. Feel the love of your school family.
I have been blessed with a lot of people who help me with my homesickness, and I hope it gets easier if you’re experiencing it too. You’ll be home soon enough!