Tuesday 05-10-2021 - 10:30

The prospect of university brings so much to get excited about, but no matter how enthusiastic you are about becoming an independent adult and heading off to uni, sometimes you can’t help but miss home just a little. Leaving home and moving away for university is a huge transition no matter where you’re coming from. The key to remember though is if you’re suffering from homesickness, I can guarantee you’re not the only one.

Feeling homesick can be quite challenging to deal with – it makes you feel lonely, and a little bit sad and can often make throwing yourself into all the fantastic opportunities around you a bit of a challenge. But there are a few ways to deal with it, so that it doesn’t turn you into a cave troll never leaving your room or someone who can’t enjoy their time at uni. So today I’m going to go through my top tips for getting over homesickness, so all you need to worry about is making the absolute most of your uni years. 

Let yourself be homesick for a little bit

Probably one of the most important ones on this list, is to let yourself feel homesick when you’re feeling it. Don’t bottle it in! Remember that being human means you come with feelings, and IT IS OKAY TO FEEL!! Feeling homesick isn’t a weakness, so don’t feel like you have to put on a brave face and pretend you aren’t missing things. Let yourself feel homesick for a little – have a cry, get it all out, but make sure you limit your wallowing (I’d recommend 24 hours). Then, dry your eyes, grab one of your flatmates (or message one of your new friends) and go out for coffee or a nice slice of cake.

Keep in touch, but not too much!

Keeping in touch with your friends and family from home is never a bad thing, as it helps you close the gap and still feel involved with everything happening at home. However, and make a note of this, there is such a thing as keeping in touch too much, and that can make your homesickness worse. It's often best to try not to talk to people back home more than you’re talking to the people around you, so try to use that as a benchmark if you aren’t sure.

Go out and keep busy

Distractions can be a glorious way to keep the mind from focusing on things like homesickness. Goodness knows it’s tempting to just hide in your room, but if you spend too much time inside, it will make your homesickness worse. Go study in the library, organise a trip, go shopping with your flatmates, get a part-time job or join a hundred clubs and societies – the more things you throw yourself into, the less time you’ll have to feel homesick, and before you know it, you’ll feel settled in and comfortable in your new uni life.

Bring some home comforts with you 

This could be your childhood teddy bear (in my case) or your favourite fluffy blanket, even something as simple as a paperweight – we all have objects that never fail to cheer us up when we’re feeling down, so no matter what your comfort items are, be sure to bring them with you to university. Also, don’t be embarrassed for having a stuffed animal on your bed. Way more people have them than you think and will either proudly display them or have them hidden away somewhere, so don’t let that stop you from bringing your cuddly toy. If you didn’t bring one with you and regret it now, I’m sure your teddy will survive a postal ride!

Stay active

I can imagine my dad smiling as I write this. When you’re feeling down, what’s the one thing we all turn to as the first point of comfort, whether it’s because we’ve had a breakup, a horrible experience or just a bad day? That’s right, cuddling in bed watching romcoms, eating ice cream and sniffing your way through two boxes of tissues. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this method doesn’t work for homesickness (unless you do it with your flatmates as a bonding exercise). Staying active is not only good for your health but will also help you feel much more positive so try to fit in a session a few times a week.

Ask for help

However, if you are struggling, don’t think this means you can’t tell people you’re missing home because people are always around to help. You aren’t in this alone. The transition from high school to university is more like trying to leap across a canyon than a crack in the road, and it can be overwhelming – remember there is no shame in asking for help. Don’t suffer in silence. Your mental health is important, and if you are feeling unhappy, there will definitely be someone who can help you and try and make things easier for you.

Homesickness isn’t like freshers flu (although in some cases it is in that almost all of us get it) and there is nothing wrong with missing your friends, family and familiar comforts, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying every aspect of university life. You’re on an adventure and now’s the time to enjoy it – the only thing you should be stressing about is the reading you didn’t do for that seminar or the registration form you forgot to fill out for a society. For any of you reading this who may be feeling homesick, I hope this has helped you a little and please remember, you aren’t alone!

Found this advice helpful? Tia van Loggerenberg has a whole lifestyle blog at Tall Blonde Tales where you can read more of her writing.

 

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