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Why It’s OK to Feel Homesick at College

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter.

The only thing worse than getting homesick for a place, is getting homesick for people. When I say people, I actually mean pets…but you get the idea. 

I don’t think I have ever been this happy and content with me life since I discovered the blessing that is Chick-fil-a sauce. I have amazing friends, go to an amazing school, and have recently gained an amazingly raging amount of homesickness. Homesickness is not usually recognized as a positive thing to possess, but I beg to differ. It is simply a reminder that you have something extremely special to return to and to keep as a backbone while you are away at school. College is a time for exploration and personal growth. How are you supposed to accomplish this if you don’t step out of your comfort zone? I am in love with everything about my school from the people I’ve met to the confidence it has given me for the future, but I also love everything I had back in my hometown.

When I was a senior in high school, I could not wait to get out of that town to start my life in a whole new city. All throughout my freshman year of college, I had never felt even one ounce of homesickness. I would silently wonder how my friends could get homesick because of how much fun we were all having. It is crazy to think that we all have another life back in our home towns that are completely different from each other’s. This all changed when I came back to school after my sophomore year winter break. I got so used to being home with my high school friends and family that when it was time to go back to the dorm life, I was extremely hesitant. Throughout the break, I realized just how lucky I was to be surrounded by amazing people and it made me wonder why I had ever been so eager to leave.

The worst part about it all is having to replace our pets from back home with random dogs on campus that we sneakingly change our walking routes for just so we can pet them. This just makes the reunion when you come home that much more ‘PAW’sitively wonderful.

Dreaming of a visit home always includes dreaming of all the good food you will get to eat. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love eating the same easy-to-make dish every single day just because I have no idea how to cook anything I actually enjoy consuming. Good food plus good company is worth waiting for in my opinion.

One advantage to living two separate lives is it’s like you’re a real-life Hannah Montana! Missing your friends back home is hard but when you do get to see them you always have loads of stories to tell each other. This is my favorite part because it always feels like you never left and you can pick up right where you left off. Just don’t forget to take off your blond wig when you are facetiming them in the meantime.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been scolded by everyone from my hometown friends to my parents when I refer to my dorm as “home”. Whether it is sending a simple text telling them that I arrived back safely, or letting the word slip when I am telling a story, they always have a witty comeback. They say things like, “That’s not your home, your real home is back here with me.” Every college student has heard the phrase, “College doesn’t feel like home but when you come home it doesn’t feel like home either.” I hate to be cliché, but home truly is where the heart is. I know we all wish our fairy god mother could just bippity boppity boo all of these feelings away, but I truly believe that they make our trips back home much more meaningful.

 

Photo credit: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5, Image 6

Nicole is a sophomore at UCF studying Entertainment Management (her Hogwarts letter unfortunately never arrived). When she is not at Chick-fil-a or Chipotle, you can find her gossiping to her friends about all of the latest celeb drama. This concert enthusiast can also be found in the very front of every concert, because front row is the only way to go. Her favorite color is Niall Horan's eyes and her worst fear is Harry Styles cutting his hair (update: the lucious locks have been cut and Nicole is currently in hiding). Her secret husband Justin Bieber would describe her as a fun, cat loving soul, who loves adventure a little too much. 
UCF Contributor