It can happen to anyone at any time: the sudden sadness of being miles from home. Away from the family pet and the nice warm bed, out with minimal supervision and no curfew to obey. Although it gives students a new sense of freedom, 69 percent of first year college students still report feeling homesick, according to a survey done by the UCLA Higher Education Institute.
Why does this happen? According to NBC news, homesickness is most likely to happen when a person has a sense of a lack of security and familiarity with his or her surroundings. It is also important to remember that homesickness can happen to anyone, no matter if you are living two miles from home or 200. If a person is out of their comfort zone, it can make them feel sick.
Coping with homesickness can be easy. Creating a new sense of security is a great way to get familiar with the new environment or in this case, new campus. Take a walk around the university and avoid isolation if possible. Becoming more interactive with the surroundings can also help ease the nerves and create that sense of security for students.
Getting involved on campus is extremely important as well. Joining clubs, trying out for sports and talking to fellow classmates can help with becoming more social. In general, being social is a great way to beat homesickness, because it creates a new community to immerse oneself in and become more comfortable with.
Here at SNHU, everyone is very helpful, and more than willing to help students find their way and create an environment that is both healthy and supportive. Make sure to also set aside time to reach out to your faculty advisor; they are here to help you feel more comfortable and suggest clubs and activities that you may be interested in. Another great source for students to use is the Wellness Center. If you are feeling homesick, faculty can give you one-on-one guidance on the best ways to help you.
It is always important to remember that everyone at SNHU is here to help you, so don’t be afraid to reach out and get involved. It is a crazy four years… make the most out of it.