Dealing with homesickness

College is a time of great change. The challenge of moving to campus and living with a roommate or by oneself in a new environment can be both scary and exciting. For many students college is the first time that they have been away from home for an extended period of time. Being in a new place and away from the comforts of home and missing family and friends can be a part of that transition. Additionally, concerns about exams, making new friends, and how to navigate the challenges of college life can cause some people to feel overwhelmed and experience homesickness. Homesickness can make the transition to college life even more difficult. If you or someone you know is experiencing homesickness, there are things that can be done to help with those feelings.

The most important thing to do when feeling homesick is to remember that it is a very common experience. You are not alone in this experience and you definitely do not need to face homesickness on your own. There are many things that you can do to help alleviate feelings of homesickness. The first thing that can be done when you experience homesickness is to let others know that you are experiencing these feelings. Discussing your feelings with resident advisors, sophomore advisors, or trusted faculty members can provide you with someone who can offer support as you go through your time here at Rose-Hulman.

Another way to combat homesickness is to develop new friendships. New friends can help combat loneliness by providing ideas for things that you can do on campus and in the community. This can help you acclimate to the new experience at college. Getting involved with campus organizations is another way of developing new relationships and learning about the community.

Lastly, it is important to mange your time appropriately and to focus on your studies. Getting behind in school work can be detrimental to your grades and can also make you feel more overwhelmed about being away from home. Attending college requires students to take responsibility for their learning and poor time management can limit your ability to enjoy the experience. When you fail to effectively manage your time, you may feel rushed to complete goals. Anxiety and stress about grades will make it harder to focus on the enjoying down time.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or disorder. Nor is it intended to replace a consultation with a mental health provider.