HOMESICKNESS: How to Manage a Home away from Home

As we merge our way closer and closer to October, more and more students are going to be feeling the effects of homesickness; the emotional bug which can make you feel sick to your stomach by the thought of not seeing the walls of your bedroom at home. I get it. I was there.

Before transferring here, I went to a community college which I commuted to. I never really ventured far from my home aside from a few family trips here and there. Living on my own was a whole other situation. I didn’t know anyone and no one knew me. That is possibly one of the most terrifying situations to be in, when you don’t have anyone within tangible reach to back you up.

 Luckily, after my first semester I was able to get a good grasp on managing homesickness without going home every weekend. Here are some tips on working your way through this time.

1. Bring a Little bit of Home with You

So, now that you have this new space to call your own, even if it usually is half a bedroom, make it your own. Bring back posters and trinkets from your room at home. Buy snacks that you would always eat when you were bored. Try to utilize a similar routine. You’re in a different place, sure, but the smallest taste of home can make it all the more comfortable.

2. Call Home

Sometimes when we are away from our family and friends it can feel like they don’t exist anymore, and we can trick our brains into thinking we will never see them again. No worries. They are still there. Call them or Skype from time to time. Talk to them about your troubles. Let them know how much you miss them. They will encourage you. Sometimes all it takes is some kind words of wisdom to get you through the day.

3. Explore

A great way to actually feel comfortable in your surroundings is to explore the area. Grab a new friend you met in class or your roommate and find a hairdresser together. Go sit in a lovely coffee shop. Even getting away from the campus life can help a great deal in feeling like you’ve got it together.

4. Use Your Resources

UAlbany luckily offers a lot of resources for your well-being. Counseling and Psychological Services is great, and if that isn’t your cup of tea, you can always check out Middle Earth. Whatever it is you are looking for, odds are, UAlbany has it.

5. Set up a Date to Visit Home

It’s always good to challenge yourself when it comes to sticking it out in Albany and pushing your visit date further, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit home at all. Mark a date on the calendar to visit home and remind yourself of the days or weeks left to that visit. This can help ease your mind in the coming days.

Moving away on your own can be scary, but nothing is better than when you finally have it under control and you can say that you are taking care of yourself like full-fledged adult. You aren’t the only one going through this, probably half of the people you walk past are going through the same exact thing. If they can get through it, so can you.

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Elizabeth B.
Class of 2018
Major: Communication
Minor: Art
Blog Theme: Homebody for Everybody

 

Please Note: The views of our student bloggers do not necessarily reflect the views of the UAlbany Advisement Services Center. These are their stories and their voices.