No matter how exciting joining college may seem, one in three students still suffers from homesickness. Longing for home is typically accompanied by several characteristic symptoms. You may experience anxiety, sadness, nervousness, nightmares, or even suffer from depression.
It is natural to have thoughts about home, your parents, relatives, and friends, but it may become a real problem if they occupy your mind all the time. Nevertheless, there are some simple tips to get over it.
Though homesickness is not looked upon as a medical illness, the first steps are still the same – Admit that you do miss home. Be kind to yourself and don't feel like a loser when you see other students smiling. They also used to have the same problem. There is nothing wrong with you, and feeling homesick is a part of learning to live a completely different life. The adjustment period is a must in many cases. At the same time, such feelings may even be useful. They allow you to appreciate your parents’ care, mom-cooked food, family traditions, and other meaningful things. Just remember to get in touch with your family and friends regularly, which can ease your worries.
Try to bring a part of your home to the new place. Decorate your hostel room with photos of relatives and friends. Also, bring some of your favorite things (they may be your childhood toys as well), and create the most comfortable environment you can. Don’t be ashamed to sleep with your teddy bear if you really like it!
It is no use just lying in bed, feeling blue and doing nothing. Sad thoughts will never help to get over homesickness, while a busy schedule may greatly benefit. So, keep yourself occupied with various tasks. Make a to-do list or a detailed timetable and stick to it. It doesn’t matter how difficult it may seem, try the magic of “small steps”. Wake up early, go for a walk or do some exercises, stop by a local café and grab your favorite coffee. Join a class or library, join a group of interest, or participate in other activities. This will definitely help you become accustomed to your new surroundings. Soon, many spots and people will get familiar, and you will start feeling at home.
Talking to other people (both students and teachers) around you also can help. Always be open to new acquaintances! Others may suffer from homesickness as well, so why not get over it together? If you make it a rule to talk to several new people every day, you will never feel lonely. The thought of your home won’t buzz in your head.
Your brain is a powerful mechanism, which can help you immensely. Don't give up on being positive, even if you have to pretend. Act accordingly, smile a lot, take part in interesting projects, help other people, and very soon you’ll realize that you aren’t pretending anymore. Get rid of negative thoughts and keep moving forward. It is OK to feel homesick at first, but overcoming it makes you even more self-confident and purposeful in life. Soon everything will be just a distant memory.
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