As we slowly approach the end of the Fall semester, the lack of sleep, ongoing stress and weather change are starting to get the worst of us. We have about one millisecond to rest between the end of the midterm season and the start of finals. And to make matters even worse, the days are getting colder and shorter, and the hype of university seems to be wearing off. Whether you are a domestic or international student, it is always hard to transition into university. The thought of soon being at home with your family may be the only thing keeping you going. As winter approaches, all students want is to be in the comfort of their homes without having to worry about cooking, cleaning and having to take care of themselves. Although this sounds depressing, there are ways to cure your homesickness and make the most out of your experience away from home.
- Surround yourself with people you love
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Being away from home can be hard, as you lose that physical connection with your family and hometown friends. A better way to look at this is to remember that university is about meeting different people and building memorable friendships. When feeling homesick, the best thing is to surround yourself with people you’ve met and love to share wholesome moments with. Whether this is a group of friends or your significant other, reach out to them and make plans together that will make you feel less lonely. There are always fun activities around the city, especially in the fall. For example, in Toronto, going to the Harbourfront for a nice walk is always a fun choice, or to the Distillery District to grab some food. The Rec Room is also a lively place to enjoy with your friends while playing arcade games. Take advantage of the city you are living in and the types of activities you would not be able to do in your hometown.
- Engage in video calls with your family
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Since technology has evolved so much throughout the years, why not make the most out of it? When feeling homesick, take a moment to call your friends and family to catch up. Even though it is not the same, it is always comforting to talk to them and make them feel like they are a part of your university experience. As hard as it is for us students to move away, it is just as hard on our families. It would mean a lot to them to engage in phone calls as you might feel each other’s presence even miles away.
- Watch your favourite comfort show
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The comfort cravings can be met in various ways, and if going home is not an affordable option, dig into your favourite comfort show and forget about everything else. Nothing feels better than having a hot shower and laying in bed watching your favourite show all day. For a while, you tend to forget about all of your other issues while living vicariously through your favourite character. If you haven’t already watched it, try Gilmore Girls — it will immediately cure all of your homesickness.
- Appreciate the opportunity given to you
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Even though it is inevitable to feel homesick, you shouldn’t diminish such feelings. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the opportunity we have of being able to study abroad at a university. Not many are fortunate enough to have this possibility, and we should take advantage of it. The good thing about living in big cities is that there is always something new to do and explore. Whenever you find yourself feeling down, explore the city you are living in, whether that be going for a walk or finding a cute restaurant. Living in a city also reminds you that you are not alone, as there is always something going on. Stay aware of the events happening around you by following Instagram pages and staying updated with the news.
Feeling homesick can be very hard on your mental health, but focusing on a positive outlook can completely change your mood. University is a different lifestyle but also a very fortunate one. You get to study what you are most passionate about while also focusing on building meaningful relationships along the way. You are blessed with the opportunity to focus on yourself and your goals — something we should never take for granted.