As the semester begins it is easy to also begin to miss your homelife. Being away and out of your usual surroundings can be frightening and uncomfortable for many people. You are experiencing homesickness. What is important to remember about homesickness is that everyone has it at one point during college. Your feelings during this time are perfectly valid there is a cure. Here are five ways to fight homesickness this fall.
1. Bring Plenty of Momentos
When packing things for your dorm make sure that you bring some items that remind you of home. It can be framed photos, a stuffed animal or even a special quilted blanket. Bring something that makes you smile and think of fond memories when you look at it.
2. Go Out
Sometimes we can get so caught up in thinking of home that we don’t consider our current surroundings. A good way to fight homesickness is to get out of your dorm room and experience all you can about your new campus. Join some clubs or get to know your new roommates. Do something that will make you feel less lonely. Making friends and being with new people can take some of the homesickness away and make college more welcoming.
3. Stay Positive
Thinking on the bright side can improve your mood. You can often feel very sad as a result of homesickness but remembering the good things about your situation can greatly improve your mood. During your time in college, you will get to grow and experience new things. If you keep this in mind, you will feel better about being away from home.
4. Establish a Routine
When you were at home, you had a daily routine that got your day off to a good start. Getting yourself into a groove at school will help the transition run a lot smoother. It may take some time but eventually, you will get there and suddenly college will feel a bit more like home.
5. Keep in Touch
It seems like the obvious solution, and it is. There are so many different ways to communicate, and you should be taking advantage of them. Take some time out of your day and call the people you miss and let them know that you are thinking of them because they are definitely thinking of you too.
Homesickness happens to everyone. The important thing to remember is that it is possible to get over the feeling. All it takes is a little time, and suddenly home will not feel so far away.
