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8 Tips for Dealing with Homesickness in College

If you’re experiencing homesickness in college, you can take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Although college is an exciting time for most students, it can also be tough to be away from home for the first time. You might miss your family, your friends, and the neighborhood you grew up in. These are all very typical things to experience. While some level of homesickness is to be expected, there are ways to help deal with it. Here are some tips to help feel a bit more “at home” at college.

Reach out to your friends and family

One of the best ways to deal with homesickness is to get in touch with the people you miss from home. Keeping in close touch with your family and friends can help you get a homey feeling from your college dorm. As your friends are also probably finding their way at their new college, you probably have a lot to talk about. It’s a good chance to catch up, share your experiences, and give each other advice.

Bring some reminders of home to college

As you pack up for college, try to bring some of the things in your room that you find the most comforting. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can make your dorm room feel like home. If you’re already at school, you can try reaching out to your parents to ask them to mail something that you left behind and are missing. Posters and photographs can help keep you connected to your home while you’re away at college.

Also see: Dorm essentials checklist

Get involved with a community at your school

One of the best cures for homesickness is to establish a new home for yourself at college. Most colleges have a rich assortment of student and community organizations. These are great opportunities to meet new friends and become involved in something. Activities like these are what make a place feel like home. So, while you will inevitably feel some level of homesickness, you can deal with it much better by joining a community at your school.

Also read: How to get involved on campus

Try volunteering in your college town

There are always people out there who are in need of some kind of help. As a college student, you probably have enough extra time to do some volunteering. You can give back to the community that you’re attending school in and feel gratified by helping people out. This can help you deal with homesickness because it’s a way to do something meaningful in your new home. You might also befriend a community member, which is a great way to make connections to your college area. A home-cooked meal at a community member’s house is about as good a homesickness cure as you can find.

Explore the area where you’re living

You’re more likely to feel overwhelmingly homesick if you’re sitting in your dorm than if you’re out exploring somewhere. Remember that you are in a new and exciting place. It’s a good idea to find places in your locality where you like spending time. As you start to familiarize yourself with your new home, you’ll be more content.

Also see: How to find a roommate

Establish a routine

Establishing a routine is a great way to feel more placed in your new college setting. Find a coffee shop where you like to do your homework. Look for a park bench where you can pass the time between your second and third classes. Having places in mind to visit will give you a sense of normalcy that can help soothe homesickness.

Take a day trip

If you’ve been caught up in the day-to-day of school, you may feel stuck at your college campus. This could make you feel even more homesick than you would otherwise feel. Taking a day trip alone or with some friends can help refresh you and remind you of the excitement of living away from home. You could go to a nearby town or go with some friends for a hike in the woods. College can be busy, and you might not have time for a big expedition. But sometimes, a simple day trip is all it takes to deal with homesickness.

Related: How to pay for housing

Remember – it’s ok to feel homesick

Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to remember that some level of homesickness in college is natural. College is a great time to expand your boundaries, learn new things, and meet new people. But it is also a struggle to be so far from your family and friends for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by your homesickness — it’s better to have something at home that you miss than to not miss it at all!

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