Many students find themselves growing homesick after the first week of class. Whether you’re from out of state or live 10 minutes from campus, many people discover they’re having trouble adjusting to college life. One good thing to keep in mind during these uncertain feelings is to remember that you are not alone and that many other college students are experiencing the same exact feelings and going through this transition at the same time. A good idea is to take this time as an opportunity to figure out who you are, what you like, and what makes you, you. Now is the time to embrace change, and blossom into your adult form! One way to do so is to get out of your room and explore your new home. It is definitely more difficult to make new friends from your bed than it is to make friends out and about!
One thing that I did as a freshman that was homesick, was talked to everyone! I broke out of my shell for the first few weeks to try to make new friends. I realized that everyone was going through this transition together and I was likely not alone in this homesick battle. By talking to people in the library, in line to get food, and anyone that looked lonely, I was able to extend my comfort zone farther than I could imagine. Once I was able to make this place feel more like home, I realized that my homesickness was deteriorating and I was finally able to blossom more than I ever could have thought.
By making myself more comfortable here, I was able to relax more and find comfort in this new home of mine! I had a friend my freshman year who went home every weekend and barely got out of her room. She had a harder time adjusting to college than most other people because she buried herself in her emotions of homesickness. Don’t get me wrong here, going home every once in a while is completely okay! However, remembering that comfortability takes time is essential! In order to become more comfortable here at college, it will take time and it will be a whole new world for some people. If every time you set out of your comfort zone, you go running straight back familiarity, your comfort zone will never have a chance to get bigger and expand!
All in all, homesickness is a lot more common than you would probably think. According to the Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, 69% of surveyed college freshmen experience severe homesickness! This can occur as soon as you get to college, after the first week, or even after the first month! So remember, you are not alone in this battle and it is hard to make friends from your own bed!
