Although heading off to university is exciting for many students, it’s common to also have some anxiety about what your new life will be like. Most new students experience a period of homesickness when they first arrive, and some feel homesick again after they return to university after break. Whereas you may be unable to avoid homesickness entirely, there are things you can do to settle into student life faster and prevent the feelings from persisting.
1. Talk to Family on a Regular Basis
Staying in touch with family members while you’re at university will help you feel like they’re not so far away. Have regular video chats with your parents, siblings, and even pets to be able to see each other’s faces. It’s ideal to find a time each week when you know you won’t be busy, such as an afternoon when you have no classes or Sunday evenings. One call a week will allow you to check in and share your news, but it won’t take too much attention away from building a life at university with new friends and activities.
2. Have a Healthy Routine
Video calls with your family should be just one part of your routine. Structuring most of your week will be comforting — plus, it will keep you busy. Set yourself a bedtime and wake-up time, join an extracurricular that has meetings each week, and assign yourself study times most days.
3. Bring Items from Home
Make your student housing feel like home by bringing a few personal items along with you. It’s common for students to bring a favourite stuffed toy they’ve had since childhood, a blanket from their bed at home, or a piece of jewellery a loved one gave them. You may also like to decorate your walls or desk with photos of your family members and hometown friends.
4. Cook Family Recipes
Something students often miss is food from home. If you’re not stuck with a meal plan, you can prepare your own food whenever you want. Ask your parents for recipes for the dishes you normally eat and learn to cook them yourself. You could also check if there are any local restaurants serving similar meals — this will be perfect for when you want a break from cooking.
5. Build a New Life
You’ll stop missing home if you have plenty of great things going on at university. Put in the effort to make friends by striking up conversations with people in your classes, attending campus events, and exploring your opportunities for various clubs, organizations, and sports teams.
6. Seek Mental Health Services
If you’re unable to overcome homesickness on your own, it’s worth seeking professional help. Most universities offer counselling services for free or at a discounted rate. There are also hotlines you can call 24/7 if you feel like you need urgent help. The professionals you’ll talk to will understand what you’re going through and provide you with personalized advice.
Another way to avoid homesickness is to live somewhere you feel at home. This means leaving the cramped dorm rooms where you have no privacy behind and moving into student apartments. Oshawa has the ultimate student housing at Foundry 1805, located just steps from campus. You’ll be able to prepare your favourite meals in your own modern kitchen, meet new people in the common areas, and have time for yourself in your spacious bedroom. Apply now.