First Year? How to Deal if You’re Feeling Homesick at College or University
It’s normal for young people to experience homesickness when they move away from home for the first time. It doesn’t have to be severe or overwhelming to be categorized as homesickness, and in fact, it’s normal to miss your home, familiar surroundings, friends and family. Any transition takes time, and there are some things you can do to help make it as positive an experience as possible.
Staying Positive
Positivity is the key to feeling well and doing well. Although a positive attitude won’t prevent homesickness, it may make it more bearable. It may also make it easier to adjust to your classes and new home and social life. Staying positive can also help prevent depression, overconsumption of drugs and/or alcohol and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by sadness, anxiety or your new environment. Moreover, it can help you push through the bad days and stave off negative thought patterns. Positivity also makes it easier to connect with new friends and foster relationships. Plus, it helps you maintain healthy habits, such as healthy eating, exercising and getting enough sleep.
Understanding that it’s Normal
Contrary to popular belief, homesickness is a normal experience. It’s especially normal for new college or university students. In fact, it can be considered a part of learning to live independently. Essentially, a young person can’t learn to live alone without going through an adjustment period, of which homesickness can be a major part. Even if you move into one of the awesome rooms for rent near UOIT and Durham College, at Village Suites Oshawa, you might find yourself missing your old room or neighbourhood in the beginning. Once you have time to adjust and become familiar with the new way of living, it’s likely you will feel much better.
Stay Connected to Your Friends and Family
If you’re feeling homesick, just call home. This is always a quick and efficient way to ease anxiety, alleviate loneliness and help you feel better about being away. Asking your friend, parent or sibling for advice and/or tips or simply venting to them may be enough to put you at ease. It may even be beneficial to maintain daily contact with them in the beginning. Eventually, you could progress to calling, texting or video chatting with your friends and/or family once a week. This will help you maintain your support system without being dependent upon them.
Introduce Yourself to Others
Loneliness and homesickness are inevitable when you don’t make an effort to talk to others or try to make friends. Most likely, other freshmen are feeling lonely, confused and homesick, too, which could be a pathway to connection. It may also be easier to talk to other students than your friends or family back home about how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing. Your shared experiences could help you create friendships. New friendships can provide new things to focus on, distracting or relieving you from awkwardness and homesickness. Plus, new friends could introduce you to new activities, and these activities could help you meet even more friends and become even better adjusted to student life.
Become Familiar with Your New Surroundings
Unfamiliar surroundings can make a transition even more uncomfortable and complicated. At your earliest opportunity, start to introduce or reintroduce yourself to your new residence, campus and the neighbourhoods surrounding your school. Take a walking tour and don’t be afraid to explore this new environment. The more you see and explore, the more comfortable you will be with your new home. Most importantly, it will encourage independence and help you feel like you belong.
Attending Durham College or UOIT this fall? Secure your place in Village Suites Oshawa to enjoy a range of amenities designed to help you succeed. With a convenient location, comfortable suites and a staff that’s truly committed to providing a positive experience for all residents, look no further than Village Suites Oshawa!
