8 Ways To Cope With Homesickness In College

By Jessi Stickel on September 4, 2016

Whether you are a college freshman or a senior, it is perfectly normal to be homesick over the semester. You probably spent the whole summer at home with your family, and now it is back to school miles away from home.

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You will not be able to see your parents, siblings or pets on a daily basis like you are used to. Many students suffer from homesickness, which can really put a damper on your semester and can even affect your academic performance.

Here are eight ways to cope with homesickness in college.

1. Photos

Hang up photos of your family and friends from back home around your dorm room or apartment bedroom. This way, it feels like they are always there. Having these pictures can make you feel at home in your new environment and provide comfort.

You can make a collage of photos on your wall or have picture frames around your bedroom, so that your loved ones are always around, even when they aren’t.

2. FaceTime/Videochat

FaceTiming your family and friends is so much better than a simple phone call when you are feeling homesick in college. Actually getting to see their faces and catch up will definitely ease your homesickness. For many, pets are family too, so FaceTime is also great if you have pets back at home that you miss and of course, cannot talk to on the phone.

3. Scheduled visits

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Having scheduled visits planned with your family and friends can really get you through the tough time you are having when missing home. Counting down the days will give you some comfort and something to look forward to every day. Many universities have family weekends during the fall semester; you could also invite family and friends to home football or other sports games.

Students also get to go home for the Thanksgiving holiday, so that is another date you get to look forward to when missing home.

4. Movies

Bring some DVDs from home that you and your family watch together often. It will make you feel more at home in college and take your mind off of negative and unhappy feelings. You can also share these movies with your friends and roommates. Doing things like watching TV or movies with your roommates can make you feel like you are right at home.

5. Blankets

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Keep blankets from home at your apartment, ones that make you feel at home or remind you of home. This will give you comfort as well if you are having trouble with sleeping in a different or unfamiliar place. If you do have a difficult time sleeping away at college, you may want to consider taking your pillow(s) from home as well as buying a mattress pad or topper to ensure you are comfortable.

Many college students, barely get enough sleep as it is, so you want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible in bed.

6. Fragrance

If there are any fragrances your mom or family uses in your home, bring some along, such as a plug-in fragrance. This will also make your surroundings feel more homey and familiar. This can include washing your clothes and bedding in the same detergent and fragrance your family uses at home.

7. Food

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In college, some students miss the food from home the most. If you make your own meals in an apartment, try to make some of your family recipes and have meals like you normally would at home. This is also a great way to bond with your roommates and/or friends; you can invite them for dinner or even have them help you cook.

8. Clubs/Teams

Having close friends in college can feel like your family away from home. However, making friends can be difficult sometimes. Your roommates can be great friends, but sometimes you want to hang out with people with more similar interests, so joining a club or sports team can help you meet some great friends. Being a part of a club or team can also feel like you are apart of a little family, which can fill that emptiness of family and love you have when you are away at school.

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