Especially as an on-campus freshman, feeling homesick is one of the hardest things I’ve gone through these few months at college. Most of my life, I’ve always been with my family, so being away from them everyday is definitely a change. I live a little less than three hours away from Bradley University, so I’m well aware some may have it worse than me. Because of this, I’ve been grateful that I can visit my family once every few weeks. Still, it’s easy for me to miss my home and loved ones. I’m grateful for all the times my parents babied me, but I realize it’s made me very dependent on them. Now it’s time for me to be on my own and accept adulthood — the beginning of adulthood, at least. I’m sure some other people may feel the same and need guidance, too. So, here’s a few things I have found are important for me to do when I feel homesick.
Catching up with family
For one, make sure to call back home. I feel like this may seem obvious, but the truth is, sometimes I can forget to do so. Some days, I plan to call some of my family, but I just never get around to it. So much time passes and I eventually feel stuck in my own world. This leads me to forget the importance of checking in on my loved ones. If possible, it’s always a good idea to set time aside in order to call. For me personally, I have to physically set time aside or I’ll never get it done.
Frequently, I get so tired after classes; all I want to do is lay down and scroll through my phone. I discovered that the walk back to my dorm is a great time to call them. And through that, it’s became a little easier for me to call after class, too.
Making friends
It’s also a good idea to make new friends. Now, this is something I haven’t done as much of because, truthfully, I’m a little antisocial. However, it’s still important to make some connections. By hanging out with friends from time to time, it makes missing home easier. Even doing something as simple as eating lunch together can get my mind off missing home. I have to remind myself that it never hurts to talk to someone new. I have found it is equally helpful to look at photos and videos of loved ones. It might feel pretty cliché and sappy, but it can really help me when I’m feeling sad.
No distractions
Moreover, whenever I have the chance to go home, it’s important for me to have my school work done. The first time I went back home I was so excited. I didn’t want to be distracted by school at all, so I made sure all my work done. While I was back at home, I could give my family my full attention and actually enjoy myself. However, I’ve been slacking off a lot lately; and trust me, it’s definitely not fun having to do work when you’re finally back home. In other words, I need to start keeping this in mind when I’m planning to go home for a weekend or break.
Maintaining a balance
All things considered, sometimes I really feel the pressure of being on my own; I feel like I have to be more distant from my family. Considering some of my other friends had to grow up a lot earlier than I did, it’s easy for me to feel like some of my feelings aren’t valid. However, feeling sad from missing home and family is a very valid feeling — no matter what. And while it’s important for me to recognize the things I’ve been given and relied on my whole life, it’s time for me to embrace this change. Maintaining a balance between being independent and still talking to family took me some time to learn. As I learn to be more independent, I’ll never forget to talk to my family back at home when I can. It’s important to never forget that someone at home might miss me, too.