Thanksgiving break is over, the tryptophan from that extra-large bird on our table is still in our systems, and we’re back at school. The week-long vacation either felt way too long, or way too short, and it’s the final countdown until winter break. For most of us, Thanksgiving was a time to catch up with friends, hang out with your family and get your much-needed beauty sleep. For others, it was a hectic week of shopping, food and family. Whichever way you celebrated, there’s no doubt that we’re doubly exhausted now.
With finals right around the corner, our stress levels are rising and our calendars are brightly decorated with that big countdown until we’re back home for five weeks. Although we saw and had a chance to catch up with our family and friends over the past week, we often end up missing them even more after having to leave again. That brief trip home made you realize how much fun you have with them, and going back to school makes you crave your home, your bed and your friends a little bit more than you expected. Unfortunately for me, being an international student, I wasn’t so lucky to have gone home, but did get to see family nearby.
Being homesick, whether you’ve just seen your loved ones last week, or haven’t seen them in four months like I have, is a common and normal part of college. It happens to everyone at some point, and homesickness can hit you at the worst times. When you have finals, three papers due and a group project to finish, missing home can feel like the worst thing in the world, and can take your stress to a next level.
If you know the next three weeks are going to be tough, and you’re already counting down until you can return home like I am, here are some tips to keep your mind off home, to keep you focused during crunch time and to keep you smiling until then.
Roommate/Best Friend Bonding: My roommates and my best friends here know exactly what to say every time I’m feeling homesick. It’s pretty obvious when I’m missing home by the time I start blasting Trini music or watching videos of our local cultural festival, carnival. My friends usually make me watch movies with them all night, or have fun dance parties and just get my mind off of home for the night. They live with you, and know you probably the best out of anyone here, so take a night to relax with them, and you’ll realize just how much it helps.
Talking to someone with similar experiences: My friend Christian is also an international student from the Caribbean, and I find that when I’m feeling extra homesick, talking to someone who can relate to what I’m feeling helps. Find a friend who lives in your hometown, or maybe nearby and talk to them. Everyone here is away from home for the first time, and you wouldn’t realize how much better you feel until you talk it out.
Head to the gym: The best cure for any type of stress is to work it out. If you’re feeling homesick and just ready to get back, head to the gym and sweat off some of the emotions. Running a mile, or doing some quick cardio on the machines can help you feel better while helping you look better.
Party: I’m not saying you go crazy every night, but if a Saturday night at Toads gets your mind off of your homesickness, then by all means – call up the girls, put on that hot new party dress, put on some heels and dance away your stress on the (sweaty and packed) dance floor.
Skype: Skype, Oovoo, Facebook VideoCall, FaceTime, whatever method you prefer to use, just do it. Talking to your family or friends and actually getting to see their faces is sometimes the push you need to continue working towards break. Put an hour aside from your work and catch up with your mom, your best friend or even your grandmother; it’ll be like you never left home.
Cry: Okay, so this isn’t the best option to turn to, but I’m not gonna lie – sometimes the only thing that makes me feel better is to blast my iPod in my ears, plop myself on my bed and cry it out for ten minutes. The important thing is to pick yourself up, dry your eyes and move on after you get it out your system. Don’t spend the entire night in bed with puffy eyes and a runny nose; you have to get back up again and go back to regular life.
So whenever that bout of homesickness hits you, remember you have several options. Try to get whatever feelings out of your system in the moment, because bottling them up and letting them build only results in stress, lashing out and wasted moments. The important thing is to always pick yourself up and continue living your life, cause in three weeks you’ll be back home, and in about four weeks, you’ll wish you were back here. Good luck, Collegietes™, it’s the home stretch.