As an out of state student, I’ve always been jealous of the in-state students who live fifteen minutes away and drive home every weekend. I’d totally do the same, except for the fact that I live 2,665 miles away. I spent most of my first year at UW feeling homesick—so I’ve learned a few tricks along the way to that help me feel close to home. Here are five ways I deal with homesickness in college:
- Pack snacks!
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I love to bring snacks with me that remind me of home. I grew up baking chocolate chip cookies with my grandma, so I always ask if she can bake a few batches for me to bring up to Seattle. I’m from Hawaii, so I also like to pack snacks like lihing sour belts and kakimochi. Last fall, I shoved 6 pounds of frozen Portuguese sausage into my carry-on! Eating local foods from home when I’m feeling a little homesick never fails to lift my spirits.
- Go candle shopping!
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It’s no secret that nostalgic scents can remind us of specific times or places. I like to light candles with scents that remind me of home, or if your dorm doesn’t allow open flames, diffusers are great, too! I love to pick up candles from Bath and Body Works, especially during the holidays, and the essential oil selection at Target is my favorite.
- Decorate!
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There’s nothing sadder than a lifeless dorm room. Decorating your wall with pictures from home is a great way to remind yourself of the best memories with your friends and family. I ordered around 70 Costco prints during my freshman year for less than $15! I also hung a poster on my wall that I got from Haleiwa, one of my favorite cities on my home island.
- Introduce your college friends to foods from your hometown!
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It can get lonely eating by yourself. Cooking for your college friends is a great way to introduce them to your favorite foods from home! I got my roommate from Spokane to try various Japanese foods like gyoza, gyudon, and tonkatsu and they have become some of her favorites. Sharing the foods that you grew up on with your new college friends is a great way to mesh your two worlds together, as well as an opportunity to spread cultural awareness.
- Facetime/Call!
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This one may seem a bit obvious but talking with my friends and family from home allows us to stay included in each other’s daily lives whilst living thousands of miles apart. Although college can get busy, I always make time for phone calls home, even if it’s during short breaks or passing periods.