Everyone gets homesick sometimes. But as a freshman in college, that homesickness can keep you from missing out on all that college has to offer, if you give in to it. Not to worry, because I am here to help. Here are my top 5 tips to get you through it!
1. Whenever you feel a little homesick- introduce yourself to someone new.
Friends are your lifeline here at school. They keep you busy, and eventually become your family if you let them. Instead of dwelling on the fact that you aren’t with your friends or family back home, meet someone completely new who could change your life for the better.
2. Get involved on campus.
Whether that be through Student Government, Greek life, a club team, or HerCampus *wink wink, nudge nudge*; putting yourself in a position where you are constantly doing something will keep your mind off the homesickness, and ~bonus~ you’ll meet new friends!
3. Do: call your family. Don’t: visit them.
I understand the want to go back to the place you lived for 18 years of your life. It’s the place that you grew up in, it’s where your family and friends are, and it’s familiar. However, college is a time to understand who you are as an individual. Not who you are in a group. So, whenever you get the familiar itch to go home, call your family before you board a bus, train, or ferry. Chances are just talking to them will put you at ease and release stress.
4. Always say yes!
Become a YesMan. Anything that comes your way should be accepted and met head on. Your roommate asks you to go out for the night? Answer, yes. Someone asks to sit next to you in class? Answer, yes. Cute boy asks you to go to dinner? Answer, oh hell yes. It is these experiences that will keep your mind off of home and instead focused on all the cool stuff you’re doing at school. As a wise Hillary Duff once said, “don’t let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game”.
5. Don’t go home until Columbus Day Weekend.
Yes, it might be tempting to head home earlier than this, but trust me- if you can make it until then it’s a lot more rewarding. Ask anyone around your campus and they’ll tell you the same thing. It’s one thing to go home every weekend, its another to stick it out and experience all the things that your new school has to offer.
So there you have it- my top 5 tips for a homesick freshman. Take it from an upper-classman who never wants to leave; it’ll get easier!