With the beginning of the school year often comes a wave of homesickness. Whether you’re a first year student who has ventured away from the comforting walls of home for the first time, or a senior who is preparing for their last year of college, homesickness can affect everyone. According to the National Institute of Health, up to 70% of college students will feel homesick at some point. Homesickness can feel lonely and isolating at times, and sometimes it feels good to curl up and let out your emotions. However, there are also actions you can take to minimize the feelings and slowly become more comfortable with your new normal.
Explore your surroundings
Whether you’re coming from a small town or a huge city, being in a new, unfamiliar place is incredibly daunting. Exploration can help. Going for a stroll or a jog each day, or trying a new coffee place (shout out Thirsty Mind), can help you become more aware of where you are and make you feel less like you were just thrown into the deep end of a pool. If you already know your way around, spending some time outside in the fresh air and sunlight can help soothe your nerves. Exercise is also a good way to take your mind off something. Plus, if you find a cozy place to do homework, getting out of your room can help reduce feelings of loneliness.
Watch a comfort show/movie
Watching a cozy movie that you know well is a good way to tell your mind that you are in a safe place and it is ok to relax. Being cozy in your dorm room or out in a lounge is a helpful way to destress and feel more at home in your new environment. Doing activities or watching movies like you would at home will help your brain understand that this is home now. You can also invite a friend to watch something with you, which can help you feel less alone, and you will likely have more fun!
Create a new routine
It is jarring to suddenly find yourself in an unfamiliar environment with unknown people and routines. One way to help relax and feel more comfortable is to create a new daily routine for yourself. A predictable routine can help you feel more stable and in control of your life. Having a reliable schedule throughout the day can decrease feelings of anxiety and having fewer chances to make decisions about your day can feel more relaxing for some people. Building a good study routine is also helpful as classes start to get more rigorous further on into the year.
Make New Acquaintances
Some small talk can go a long way in beginning a friendship with someone. In the beginning of the year, it is easy to feel alone and like everyone else already has close friends, but usually many people are feeling the exact same way. Having brief conversations with people sitting next to you in class, or standing behind you in the lunch line, can build friendships. These classmates can become people you smile at in the hall or sit with at a meal. Small interactions can build good friendships over time and positive human interactions are helpful for countering feelings of anxiety and loneliness.
Talk to a loved one
Oftentimes, our loved ones understand us best and when we feel homesick, they are the ones we can turn to for help. This can be a parent, friend, aunt, grandparent, or anyone you can turn to and talk about how you’re really feeling. It can be helpful to get all of your emotions out as bottling them up can sometimes make you feel worse. Hearing the voice of someone you love can also help calm you down and feel more at ease.and Creating scheduled times for calling family can create a reliable routine and reduce stress.
Homesickness can be challenging, and sometimes it feels like you will never feel comfortable. Here at Mount Holyoke, there are many people who would love to get to know you and become friends. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that it is completely normal and most people here have probably felt the exact same way.