Homesickness, it's universal. Psychologists call it "separation
anxiety" and few people are immune. It is experienced by the
kindergartner going off to school, as well as the businessperson
starting a new job. Here are a few tips to help you through it now
or in the future.
1. Admit that you have it. Much of what you know and can rely
on is back
home. Homesickness is a natural response to this sense
of loss.
2. Talk about it with an older sibling or friend who has gone
away from home. It takes strength to accept the fact that something
is bothering you and to confront it.
3. Bring familiar items from home to your new location. Photos,
plants, even stuffed animals help to give one a sense of continuity
and ease the shock of a new environment.
4. Familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. Walk around.
You will feel more in control if you know where buildings, classes,
and services are.
5. Invite people along to explore. Making friends is a big step
to alleviating homesickness.
6. Keep in touch with the people back home, but put a limit on
telephoning. Write them reports of your activities and new experiences.
Let them know you'd like to hear from them, too.
7. Plan a date to go home and make arrangements. This often helps
curtail impulsive returns and keeps you focused on your goals
in staying.
8. Examine your expectations. We'd all like to be popular, well-dressed,
well-organized, well-adjusted. Well, we're not. Setting a goal
of perfection is the most predictable way of creating trouble
for yourself. Laugh at your mistakes. You're learning.
9. Seek new opportunities. As scary as it is to see all those
people, all those classes, all those buildings, all those choices,
they will provide opportunities to meet people who like what you
like. Take classes that you're interested in and get involved
in your favorite activity, or try new ones.
10. Do something. Don't wait for it to go away by itself. Buried
problems often emerge later disguised as headaches, fatigue, illness,
or lack of motivation.
If these feelings persist or become so intrusive as to impair your
daily activities or class obligations, you may benefit from talking
to a counselor with special training in helping students adjust
to the college environment. You may make an appointment to see a
counselor at University Counseling by stopping by the office in
Whitesitt Hall, or by calling 620-235-4044.
