Feeling homesick is not a sign of weakness
Factors that increase your chances of becoming homesick may include being emotionally close to your family, not having spent much time away from home in the past, leaving behind a boyfriend or girlfriend, or not being sure that university is right for you.
Whatever the reason, feeling homesick is not a sign of weakness and there’s no reported difference between the sexes in its incidence.
The physical symptoms
Homesickness is a well-documented phenomenon. Physical symptoms range from constant or frequent crying, difficulty sleeping, and changes in appetite, to nausea, dizziness and headaches. Mental symptoms include depression, anxiety and lack of concentration.
Tips for combating homesickness
Make your new room your own by decorating it with familiar things from home.
Stay in touch with family
Stay in touch with your folks, but give yourself time to settle in before arranging a visit home, as it may make your homesickness worse. Invite friends and family to visit you instead.
Be realistic
Be realistic about what to expect from university life. Sometimes not everything falls into place at once, but many students go on to have a fantastic time once they adjust.
Join clubs and societies
Get to know people by joining clubs and societies. It’s difficult to make the effort when you’re feeling down, but making new contacts will help. Keeping busy will help take your mind off your homesickness too.
Sleep well and eat healthy
Make sure you get enough sleep and try to eat a healthy diet. Avoid too much alcohol, as this can have a negative effect on your mood.
Difficulties with your course
If the difficulty of the course has come as a shock, seek help from your academic tutor. They can recommend extra reading or a study skills course to get you back on track.
Consider going to your university conselling service
Most students find their homesickness fades and do not need formal counselling. However, if homesickness is affecting your ability to take part in social or academic activities, consider using your university counselling service.
If you have any thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek professional help at once.
What to do if nothing works
If you’re well into your first year and still feeling homesick and unsettled, you may be thinking you’ve made a mistake in coming to university.
Don’t rush into any decisions about leaving, as things could still improve, but do talk it over with a tutor, student welfare officer, or counsellor.
They’ll help you to clarify your feelings and get things in perspective, but they shouldn’t put pressure on you to stay at university if it’s really not the right place for you.
For a few students, it can be right to leave and take another direction.