Dealing with Homesickness in College
Whether you have been a student on campus for one year or four, odds are you have felt homesick before. Starting college away from home can bring up a lot of unexpected emotions that students deal with, which can affect how you are performing in and outside of class. This is a big moment in your life, so here are some tips to help you get through those feelings of missing home.
- Stay connected to people back home
- Take some time each week out of your schedule to reach out to friends and family from back home. Connect about how school is going and get caught up on what’s happened since you left.
- Plan visits home. Long weekends are great for travelling back to spend time with loved ones.
- Decorate your space. Pictures of friends and family, things from your bedroom, or little things that remind you of home. Decorating this way can make the space more comforting to be in.
- Get involved in campus life
- Connect with students in your classes. Building friendships can be huge when it comes to feeling more secure in a new place. Don’t be afraid to make plans to study together or simply grab a cup of coffee!
- Join an RSO! Find people who enjoy the same things that you do! Washington State offers a ton of student organizations for you to check out!
- Get out of your room. Staying in your room might be comfortable, but when you’re feeling homesick, this can continue to make you feel isolated and alone. Get outside, go for a walk, or visit somewhere new on campus.
- Attend workshops! WSU offers workshops through the Academic Success and Career Center that help with academic and personal success. These are a great way to build up your skills in and out of the classroom!
- Acknowledge the feelings.
- A big step in overcoming homesickness is understanding that these feelings are completely normal, so don’t try to ignore them. You’re not alone.
- Express those emotions. Some people find it helpful to keep a journal where they write down how they feel. Others like to draw, paint, or play music. These are all great and healthy ways to express your feelings.
- Be compassionate with yourself. Give yourself some grace and let yourself feel your emotions. Sometimes you just need to lie in bed, put on a comforting show, eat some ice cream, and that’s okay.
- Seek help when it gets to be too much.
- Talk to someone. When the sadness gets to be too much, reach out to someone who can help you. Counseling and Psychological Services on campus are a great resource for finding someone to talk through your feelings with.
- https://cougarhealth.wsu.edu/mental-health/
- If you are in crisis, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You can get help by calling or texting 988 or chatting online at Lifeline Crisis Chat.
College is a huge step, so make sure you are setting yourself up for success! Make friends, have a good time, get ready for whatever comes next, and Go Cougs!
