Going to university is one of the best and most overwhelming stages of your life. As you gain more freedom and develop your ability to get out there in the world, the feeling of homesickness can creep in from time to time. Whether it’s about a recipe your mom used to make or songs you listened to with your dad on your way to school, these small but essential memories can make it difficult to accommodate at university. 

Still, you are not the only one to experience stress or anxiety caused by being separated from your family or friends. Almost two-thirds of students go through these emotions when moving away for the first time, especially when the excitement of being independent fades away. 

Luckily, this feeling won’t last forever. There are ways to counteract it and be in control of your university life. Here’s how. 

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/man-sitting-on-bed-beside-opened-window-4KuGRj1De1U 

Make your dorm as familiar as possible 

Your dorm will be a place where you’ll spend a lot of time studying, relaxing, or chilling with colleagues so that the environment will matter for your mental health. A dull-looking and cold room can contribute to feeling anxious. However, if you bring items from home to your new dorm it will help adapt better, so, for example, you could take your Pop figures with you if you’re a fan of a certain show or animation. In addition, we encourage you to make your room as cozy as possible by:

• Having a lot of plants around; 
• Considering a bright color palette;
• Creating a gallery wall; 

While these tips will help enhance the beauty of the room, it’s important to maintain it as clean as possible. Living in a messy room can contribute to feeling low, so try to establish a cleaning routine in which you do a little bit of organization each day to avoid the clutter building up. 

Insist on healthy habits 

Poor habits―such as sleeping in late, eating junk food, and ignoring your needs, will surely send you spiraling during a homesick moment. We all know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle keeps it in check, but achieving this level of responsibility can be difficult. 

For example, if you struggle with a regular sleeping cycle, push yourself a little bit to wake up and go to sleep on the same day every day, even during the weekends. However, this is not possible from the first day, so if you usually go to sleep at midnight, try getting to bed at 11:30 PM and continue until you reach your preferred sleeping hour. 

The same tip applies to adopting a healthy diet, exercising, and studying. Take small steps, and you’ll see the mental health benefits of a suitable lifestyle in a few weeks. 

Join a sports team 

At university, you’re likely to be stressed about your studies most of the time, but joining a university sports club has numerous advantages for your career. First, you’ll make friends easier, as connecting through a sport is the easiest way to talk to people and keep in touch. 

The physical benefits are considerable, as regular sports help with stress, boosting mood and health. Don’t worry― universities usually offer a varied array of sports, from individual to water activities, that will cater to your needs and preferences. While you may not want to play on a professional level, simply participating will improve your habits. 

In addition, playing sports will ensure you gain specific skills that will help in the future when you’re looking for a job. For example, you may finesse your time management capabilities by turning up at practice on time. 

Keep in touch with family 

When we get out there in the world and see we’re fine on our own, we may be prone to losing connection with family and friends from home. This will only make homesickness worse, which is why talking with your parents and siblings is beneficial. Keeping them updated on your daily routines and also learning about their lives without you there can help everyone feel reassured. 

However, do not fall into the trap of checking what your friends from home post on social media too often, as you may find yourself melancholic about their lives. Understanding that everyone has a different path in life and that this moment is temporary should strengthen you. 

It’s also important to tell people how you feel, especially parents (if they are usually understanding). Getting things off your chest and validating your emotions is a step forward to maturing and preparing for the future. 

When things get messy, reach out for help 

Sometimes, not even a healthy lifestyle or a successful academic life can help overcome homesickness. Some may feel so overwhelmed that they consider leaving, especially when they think they failed to blend in with other students. 

Homesickness isn’t that simple. It is caused by factors such as a disruption of lifestyle, cultural distances, and difficulties in adapting. These can lead to depression, grief, and even physical symptoms like headaches and lack of appetite. 

Treating homesickness might require special support sometimes, and there’s nothing wrong with this. Reaching out for help is an option, mainly if the university provides a therapist who can help you. Some universities have a wider range of services, such as:

• Group therapy on common university issues; 
• Crisis intervention in the case of severe emotional distress; 
• Workshops on sessions like stress management; 
• Referrals towards external mental health resources; 

Navigating this part of your life might require support in becoming a functional adult, so don’t shy away from professional support or family intervention. If something is bothering you constantly, such as homesickness, its roots might be deeper than you’d believe, so it’s time to solve it before it becomes something bigger and messier.

Final considerations 

Going to university is an essential step ahead regarding your academic life. However, starting school in a different environment, far from the comfort of your own home, can be challenging and lead to homesickness. While some symptoms are milder, others can contribute to anxiety and depression, which is why adopting a healthy lifestyle and addressing these issues is necessary to overcome them.