No matter how far away from home you are when you leave for college, feeling homesick is inescapable. And it's hard to be away from home and on your own for the first time - in fact, it's really hard. Whether you were dreading leaving your mom or so ready to get away from your parents senior year, chances are there'll be a point during your first college semester where you miss something from home (even if that be something as small as the way your mattress at home felt!).
Homesickness isn't really something that can be avoided, but it is something that you can control when you start to feel it creep up on you. In my eyes, for example, there are two things you can do when you feel homesick: you can dwell in it, and make yourself pretty miserable, or you can acknowledge that you feel it and continue with your day. I've done both of these, and while the former is much easier than the latter, the latter will make you feel better much faster.
Of course, easier said than done, right? It's simple to say you're not going to let homesickness rule your day, until you actually feel it - and that's when to take it step by step.
Don't be afraid to talk about it.
Chances are, most of your other classmates have already felt homesick, are feeling homesick, or will feel homesick soon. There is absolutely no shame in telling a friend that you miss your parents, your siblings, your significant other, [insert any noun here]. Getting it off your chest will feel so much better than letting your homesickness build up inside.
Likewise, don't be afraid to tell your parents/siblings/S.O./etc., either! Tell them, tell your friends, even just tell the pages of your journal - put it out into the world and, in turn, off of your shoulders. Trust me, you'll feel better.
Do something fun.
This is a pretty general-sounding direction, but that's because anything that you enjoy will do - watch Netflix, go out with friends, take a walk in a park, visit the library, treat yourself to a coffee. Anything that will take your homesickness off your mind will work! Remind yourself that while it might suck to be away from home, you're on a whole new adventure. Don't let it pass you by!
Find something that reminds you of home.
It seems counter intuitive, but finding a place that reminds you of home can help you on your worst days. This place could be anywhere, as long as being there comforts you (my favorite place to escape to, for example, is Starbucks)! On a day when you feel like you're too far away from home, go to this place to do homework, hang out with friends, or even to be alone with your music - your choice.
Remember, most importantly, that you're definitely not the only person on campus who misses home. Anyone can tell you that. It's completely normal to feel that way, but don't let it rule your life while you're away - otherwise, what fun is college?
Lots of love,
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