You were so excited for college. Being out on your own. Meeting new people. No one telling you it’s time to get to bed or that you need to be home at a certain time. Nobody telling you to finish your dinner. So why do you feel homesick?
It’s important to know that nearly everyone moving away from home misses it. No kidding! Even the people who appear to be holding it all together miss home sometimes. A big part of the reason is that, as humans, we all like what’s comfortable and normal. A lot of change comes with moving away, and sometimes a familiar face or favorite meal is all you really want.
You can get through this though – in fact it’s important that you do. Missing home is typically a temporary feeling. It will come and go. Work hard to build a home away from home that includes new friends. Join an on-campus group and explore new activities. Be open to making new friends and don’t be afraid to ask someone to meet up for a coffee to get to know them better.
If that lonely feeling doesn’t go away, reach out for help. Contact the counseling center on campus. Call a trusted adult. You may just need to talk things through to get a new perspective. If it has caused you to feel more anxious or depressed, then you may need professional counseling. On the other side of this, you’ll be proud of yourself for addressing your feelings and taking care of yourself.
