College Freshman: How to Get Over Homesickness


Whether you're a freshman or a senior, studying abroad or going to college in your hometown - it's natural to have a period of adjustment when you leave home. Experiencing new things and meeting different people can be exciting and stressful at the same time. Sometimes, it can make you feel a deep desire to return to the people and situations you know best.

The good news is that homesickness goes away eventually. As you gradually get used to your new surroundings, you'll grow more comfortable. You'll also gain a sense of confidence and independence by knowing that you can learn to adjust. Here are some tips to help ease your transition.

Accept that things will be different, but different isn't bad or wrong. Part of maturing is learning to be flexible in different situations, so this is all part of the process of preparing you for a fantastic future.

Bring a piece of home. Pack special items that remind you of home and give you comfort like your pillow, stuffed animals, pictures, posters, music, and specialty food items.

Focus on what you're gaining. Instead of thinking about everything you're missing, focus on what you're gaining by being away. Think about all the new experiences you can share with friends and family when you return.

Know that you're not alone. Everyone who is new is in the same boat so find a buddy to go exploring. Walk around and learn the campus and city. The more familiar you become with your new surroundings, the more your feelings of homesickness will fade.

Keep in touch. You're never more than a call or click away from friends and family. Make an effort to explore and learn new things about your environment so you can share your experiences with them.

Get involved. Join a club, study group, or find a part-time job that will get you involved with other people. Knowing that you will see the same faces and interact on a regular schedule helps a lot.

Plan a visit. Invite friends and family to visit you and act as their tour guide. It also helps to schedule a trip back home, but avoid going home every weekend. You'll gain more confidence by sticking it out and finding new things to do.

Talk about your feelings. Homesickness is natural. It doesn't mean you are weak, only that you have experienced love and security in your home life - and that's a good thing! If you find you are having trouble coping, talk to a friend, roommate, RA, or a campus counselor. It's important to acknowledge your feelings rather than keep them inside. You are definitely not the first student to experience homesickness, and by sharing what you're going through with others, you'll find even more ways to start to adjust.

Susan Fee is a licensed counselor and author of the college survival guide, "My Roommate Is Driving Me Crazy! Solve Conflicts, Set Boundaries, and Survive the College Roommate from Hell" (Adams Media). She offers more college survival tips on her Web site, http://www.myroommateisdrivingmecrazy.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Blackburn College University Centre boss resigns after suspension
Lancashire Telegraph
By Nafeesa Shan » Reporter Blackburn College said the dean of its University Centre, Helen Mathers, was no longer on its pay roll after tendering her resignation. Acting dean Christine Kenyon will fill the role while the posit-ion is advertised.

and more »


Applications to Blackburn College's University Centre rise to record levels
Lancashire Telegraph
Blackburn College's University Centre has revealed that its applications have soared by 10 per cent compared to 2011. Nationally, the University and Colleges Admissions Service, UCAS, has recorded a slump of 8.7 per cent, with 462507 people having ...



Area students make college, university honor rolls
McPherson Sentinel
By Anonymous Leigh Loving of McPherson, a freshman college of arts and sciences student at Creighton University, was named to the fall Dean's List for the 2011-2012 academic year. Emporia State University released the honor roll for the fall 2011 ...



Bayonne Historical Society accepting applications for scholarship award
The Jersey Journal - NJ.com
This scholarship is open to all accredited college/university bound registered high school seniors (male and female) attending Bayonne High School, Holy Family Academy, Marist High School, St. Peter's Preparatory School, St. Dominic Academy, ...

and more »


Seminar on traffic literacy of college students held
Pakistan Daily Times
LAHORE: Students were briefed about the use of helmets and importance of following traffic rules at a special seminar organised by FC College University (FCCU) on Wednesday in collaboration with the City Traffic Police. FCCU Director of Safety and ...



City hires 2010 UWSP grad for new economic development specialist position
Wausau Daily Herald
College: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, graduated in 2010 with a degree in resource management with emphasis in land use management. Stevens Point officials are hoping a new position in the city's Community Development office can help bring ...

and more »


Our Lady of the Lake University now in Montgomery County
Your Houston News
Located at Lone Star College's University Center, 3232 College Park Drive, OLLU continues its partnership with the Lone Star College System after sharing a facility for 25 years. The university targets working professionals seeking to further their ...



Fannin County Master Gardeners offer scholarship
North Texas e-News
Applicants must be a graduating senior from a Fannin County school, or be currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, technical school or institute, and must be pursuing a course of study related to horticulture.

and more »


Arizona lawmaker proposes new version of bill to allow guns on college ...
The Republic
PAUL DAVENPORT AP PHOENIX — An Arizona lawmaker is renewing his fight to allow students and professors to carry guns on higher education campuses, raising a controversial issue that resulted in a veto by Gov. Jan Brewer last year.

and more »


Union College

Union hosts regional Science Bowl Saturday
Union College
Each team is mentored by representatives from a dozen institutions, including Union, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University at Albany, Fulton Montgomery Community College, University of Buffalo and Rochester Institute of Technology.


Google News

Acne - Advertising - Aerobics & Cardio - Affiliate Revenue - Alternative - Attraction - Auction - Audio Streaming - Aviation - Babies & Toddlers - Beauty - Blogging & RSS - Book Marketing - Book Reviews - Branding - Breast Cancer - Broadband Internet - Muscle Building - Careers & Employment - Coaching - Coffee - College & University - Cooking Tips - Copywriting - Crafts & Hobbies - Creativity - Credit - Cruising & Sailing - Currency Trading - Customer Service - Data Recovery - Dating - Debt Consolidation - Debt Relief - Depression - Diabetes - Divorce - Domain Names - E-books - Ecommerce - Elder Care - Email Marketing - Entrepreneurialism - Ethics - Exercise - Ezine Marketing - Ezine Publishing - Fashion & Style - Fishing - Fitness Equipment - Forums - Games - Goal Setting - Golf - Grief Loss - Hair Loss - Happiness - Hardware - Holidays - Home Improvement - Home Security - Humanities - Humor - Innovation - Inspirational - Insurance - Interior Decorating - Internet Marketing - Investing - Landscaping & Gardening - Language - Leadership - Leases & Leasing - Loans - Lung, Mesothelioma & Asbestos - Management - Marketing - Marriage & Wedding - Meditation - Mobile & Cell Phone - Mortgage & Refinancing - Motivation - Motorcycles - Music - Negotiation - Network Marketing - Networking - Nutrition - Organizing - Outdoors - Parenting - Personal Finance - Personal Tech - Pets - Philosophy - Photography - Poetry - Politics - Positive Attitude - PPC Advertising - Press Release - Pregnancy - Presentation - Psychology - Public Speaking - Real Estate - Recipes - Relationships - Sales - Sales Management - Sales & Teleselling - Sales Training - Satellite TV - Science - Security - SEO - Site Promotion - Small Business - Software - Spam Blocker - Spirituality - Stocks & Mutual Funds - Strategic Planning - Stress Management - Structured Settlements - Success - Supplements - Taxes - Team Building - Time Management - Top7-Or-10-Tips - Traffic Building - Vacation Rentals - Video Conferencing - Video Streaming - VOIP - Wealth Building - Web Design - Web Development - Web Hosting - Weight Loss - Wine & Spirits - Writing - Writing Articles - Yoga

Top
Main Home Email Category Home