Contributed post. For many students, heading off to university to begin a degree can often mean leaving home for the first time. This is a huge life change, so it’s no wonder some students suffer from homesickness. According to the National Union of Students (NUS), around 50-70% of students get homesick during the first few weeks of university so, if you’re one of them, here’s some advice on how to overcome homesickness at university.
Embrace your homesickness
It’s perfectly normal to feel homesick, so don’t feel you need to hide how you’re feeling. Allow yourself to feel homesick and don’t bottle up your sadness.
So, if you’re in your student accommodation in Southampton, while your friends and family are all far away in Scotland, have a good wallow but not for too long. Get it out of your system, then get on with your new exciting life at university.
Furnish your room with familiar items
We’re not suggesting you turn your student room into a shrine but put up some photos of your nearest and dearest and bring some objects with you that remind you of home. Perhaps you had a favourite chair in your parents’ house you can bring with you to sit in that will remind you of home. You’ll be able to sit in it safe in the knowledge that you won’t be nagged to get up and make your mum a cup of tea!
Don’t become a hermit
After you’ve sat in your room wallowing in your homesickness, make sure you get out and about meeting new people. If you’re in shared accommodation, which you probably are, you’ll only have to go to the kitchen or other communal area to make new friends. Leaving your room door is also a good way to make new friends, as you’ll look approachable and people will be able to say ‘hi’ as they’re passing.
Making new friends at university is a big part of university life and the sooner you immerse yourself in your new social life, the sooner you’ll stop missing home so much. Accept all the invites that come your way and go to any events that you like the look of and you’ll start to feel at home much quicker.
Get some exercise
It’s a Catch-22 situation. Getting outside for some exercise is an excellent way to improve your mental and physical wellbeing, but when we’re feeling low, we struggle to find the motivation, preferring to stay indoors instead.
Getting outside for a walk, run or bike ride will brighten your outlook and at the same time allow you to explore your new surroundings, making your new hometown feel more like home.
If you don’t fancy doing exercise in public then you might want to consider getting some exercise equipment for home use too.
Remember you’re not alone
As we said at the beginning, feeling homesick at university is perfectly normal, so try to remember you won’t be the only one feeling like this. Chances are, most of your housemates are also feeling a bit lost and lonely.
If you do need extra help though, don’t hesitate to seek support from your university support services.
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