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Beating the Homesick Blues

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Laura Rasmussen
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Lottie Staggs
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UNI chapter.

Are you a freshmen missing home? Or maybe you get a little teary-eyed every time you say good-bye to mom and dad or that special someone when you leave for school. The atmosphere you surround yourself with can definitely affect your mood. Here are some helpful tips that make your home away from home a little homier.
 
Lighting.

Every dorm comes with a florescent overhead light. This type of lighting can feel as though the FBI isinterrogating you. It’s buzz or flickering isn’t always the most welcoming or warm feeling. Invest in a floor lamp or table lamp and literally see the difference it makes in your room. The softer light will help your dorm feel more like a home then a waiting room, office, or classroom. Christmas lights, string lights, and even curtains are a great idea for around your dorm room window.

Colors.
 
Bright colors can be happy, lively, and joyful. Too many bright colors in a small space can also be stressful, overwhelming, and feel like Limited Two took over your room. Remember to balance your colors. Your room should be a place where you can get away, relax, and retreat from the craziness of college life. Use soft colors such as, light pink, beige, and gray. Then add a pop of bright color such as aqua to keep that cheerful mood in your room. Accent colors are everything. There are many great sites that help you search for color palets – one of them being here. Search words such as, “soft”, “calm” and “peaceful” to get your favorite colors.
 
Scents.

 Smell, hear, and taste the goodness of home in your dorm. Candles not only help your room smell well, but also help your mood. Certain aromas produce certain emotions.


Here are a few examples:
Lavender – relaxation
Chamomile – uplifting
Green apple – helps to deal with claustrophobia
Citrus – happy and invigorated
Peppermint- energ
Citrus – happiness
 
Can’t have lit candles in your dorm room? Try a candle warmer!
 
A behavioral study conducted at Harvard University shows people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety and feel less depressed when fresh flowers are present in their home. Grab some flowers next time 
you are at the store. You deserve it!
 
Decorations. 

Cover up those blank walls with photos of the people you love in your life! Black and white photos can look more classy, sophisticated, and take out imperfections that color photos show. Enlarge the pictures so the photos won’t get lost on your wall.
 
Music. 

We all knowthat musiccan put you in a better mood. Play your favorite tunes while you are getting ready in the morning and start your day off with a joyful melody.

Food. 

A sweet taste of home can cure all those homesick blues. Ask your family to send you your favorite baked goodies.From mom’s perfect puppy chow to grandma’s chocolate chip cookies that you crave constantly, there is always something delicious from home your sweet tooth can enjoy.
 
Follow these helpful tips and kiss your homesick blues goodbye for good!
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Lottie is a junior at the University of Northern Iowa and she is a communications major with a journalism minor. She has always had a passion for fashion and writing, so she figured, why not combine them? She was a writer for Her Campus only one semester before becoming the Editor-in-chief and campus correspondent for fall of 2011. Lottie is very excited to take on the challenge and to make great things happen with Her Campus magazine.