Homesickness: something every college student deals with at some point. I always feel the most homesick during the holidays and when I see my friends’ parents come to visit them. I’m really close with my parents and love spending time with them when I’m home, so being away from them for extended periods of time is always hard for me. I️ know a ton of my friends feel the same way and experience homesickness at some point in time, whether they’re 2,000 miles from home or just 200. I️ decided to ask my friends about how they deal with homesickness and added some tips of my own.
Do things you’d do at home: When I️’m home I️ watch a lot of live TV and 98% of the time it’s “The Big Bang Theory” because it’s always on late at night. The other night I️ caught up on the new season and it put me in such a good mood because it felt as if I️ was in my bed at home relaxing watching tv. I️ was able to totally forget about my responsibilities for a few hours. Doing the things you’d do normally at home make it feel like you have a piece of home with you and make it about the activity, not the place.
Discover new things where you are currently: Whenever I️ need to be reminded of DC’s beauty I️ drive down Rock Creek Park and around the monuments. I️ think the whole area near the Potomac and the Tidal Basin is so beautiful especially in the fall and it makes me appreciate DC so much more (and consequently forget why I️ miss New York). I’m lucky in that DC is an amazing place to live but wherever you are you can always try a new restaurant or explore a new neighborhood!
Plan your next trip home: Sometimes it helps to know you’ll be home again soon. If you know when your next trip is you can start a countdown and use it as motivation to keep pushing through until then. Knowing I’d be home a week from today has been so comforting the past 2 weeks, especially with all the stress of school.
FaceTime your loved ones: This tip is from a friend of mine and I️ was honestly really surprised by it at first because it seems counterintuitive. I️ would think talking to the people you miss would only make you miss them more but she told me it always works for her so it’s definitely worth a shot!
Distract yourself: Last but not least is the most obvious. You’ve heard it time and time again because it works. Nighttime is probably the most important time to distract yourself but if you have a really busy day it’ll be easier to fall asleep quickly at night. I’ve always found watching movies to be a better distraction and more time consuming than watching a tv show but reading, meditating and hanging out with friends are always good options.
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