As someone who traveled from Connecticut all the way to Kansas for college, I am no stranger to homesickness. It was one of the main things that I struggled with my Freshman year. Being far away from home and on your own for the first time can be really overwhelming at first, and it’s normal to miss home, especially in the first couple of weeks. I know that some of you are dealing with this right now, so I decided to share some of my ways to cope with homesickness.
Join Clubs/Get Involved
This was one of the best things I did for myself last year and it definitely helped me keep my mind off of home for a bit. I know that all of the welcome week activities with the many clubs on campus recruiting have come and gone, but don’t think that means you can’t still join. Clubs are a great way to meet people and make friends. Having people that you can turn to or hang out with on campus is vital, especially when you’re far away from home. It helps you establish a new home away from home and gives you something to look forward to every week. Personally, I joined Her Campus halfway through my first semester and can honestly say it’s the best decision I’ve made. I’ve made so many friends through it that I know I can depend on.
Call Home
This is probably the most obvious one that anyone can think of but it’s so important. Not only should you call home (your parents miss you!), but also keep in touch with close friends. That’s not to say you should call them every day, but once a week will give you some comfort and allow you to keep in touch.
Go on Adventures
Explore your new surroundings! In my opinion, there’s always something new to explore whether it’s a new coffee shop on campus or some local shops downtown. It keeps you out of your room, lets you enjoy your new surroundings for a few hours, and you might find a new hang out or go-to place in the end. My favorite place to explore here in Lawrence is Mass Street. There are so many cute local shops to visit, such as coffee places, bookstores, and everything in between.
Talk to Someone About It
If it does seem like it’s getting out of hand/spiraling don’t feel embarrassed or bad to reach out to your RA or someone else that you trust. That’s what they’re here for. The last thing you want to do is bottle it up and let it become a bigger problem.
Don’t Stress/Stay Positive
As I said before, I know that some of you are dealing with this. Just know that you’re not the only one feeling this way and that it does get easier to be away from home over time. Don’t get down on yourself for feeling this way because it’s completely normal and expected for everyone to get homesick at some point in their lives. Try to stay positive and remember, you’ve got this!