Homesickness
Wednesday 11 November 2009
It’s normal to feel a little homesick during the first few months of uni. Don’t worry too much though - here's some help.
Bye, bye old life
Homesickness is a normal and expected part of uni life - at first. There's no comfort from your best friends and family and no home cooked dinners or in house laundry service, courtesy of your mum and dad. It's a completely different world.
Some people find the move quite easy. For a lot of people however, it takes a lot of getting used to. Some students feel a bit shaken and overwhelmed at the thought of being one out of a thousand newcomers, especially without the support of familiar faces.
Check the signs
Not sure if you’re homesick? Look at the signs. Most people who are homesick experience emotions like depression, obsessive thoughts and anxiety and mood swings. They can also find normal tasks quite challenging – sometimes impossible.
Give it a chance though. After some time you’ll be able to find your feet and enjoy student life.
Homesick solutions
The first thing to do is think about the cause of the problem and go from there.
Get social
Don’t bottle up your feelings. If you’re feeling homesick then open up. Remember, there are thousands in your situation, and they may be feeling the exact same way as you. You could also chat to your tutor or a campus counsellor.
You may be missing your friends from home but uni opens up a lot of doors to meet new ones. If you haven’t hit it off with the people in your halls or course then go elsewhere. Visit your student union to sign up to societies you’re interested in – you’ll meet loads of people who have the same hobbies as you. Try to sign up to a few sports classes as physical activity can do a lot to balance your emotions.
The more societies and clubs you join, the more you’ll feel part of campus life.
Go home
Homesickness is all about missing things from home that you can’t get anymore. Remember, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a weekend away from campus to visit your normal stomping grounds. Seeing your family can also give you the boost you need. When you do eventually go home, make sure you spend time with the people who matter. Don't stay in front of your laptop on Facebook!
If there are miles and miles between you and home or if you’re an international student and can’t go back every weekend, then how about investing in a webcam? You’ll be able to see and speak to your family without stepping out of your halls or spending a penny.
Get a balance
Make sure you get the right balance between work and play. Your workload may be a little tough compared to college but you’re not expected to have your head in your books 24/7. Save some time to chill and have fun with your mates too.
The less time you feel homesick the better. Organise a night out or in with some of your mates to keep yourself busy.
Go on the right course
Sometimes not being on the right course can make you feel completely isolated. This can lead to homesickness because you're not enjoying what you do, and since you have no interest in the course you might not click with others on it either.
Don’t feel ashamed if you want to change course. Many first time uni students realise that the course they’re on isn’t the right one. Visit your admissions department to see what they can do.
The next step
If after some time you find that you’re still feeling down then this could be a sign that uni isn’t for you. Don’t worry, there are loads of other options. Check out the other qualifications you can gain.
