Curing homesickness
WHEN you go to college, you may only be a few miles away and in your own country, but homesickness can still strike.
It is a strange and unsettling feeling that, if unaddressed, can hinder you from getting to grips with your studies and life on campus.
Here are some ideas for coping with homesickness.
Know what is going on
Homesickness is a stress reaction that comes from being in an unfamiliar place. You are anxious and depressed because everything is new: the place, the people and the routine.
As a result, you pine for the familiar routine of home and friends.
Recognise that it is temporary
It may feel like you will not ever be happy again, but that is simply part of the depression that comes from the stress of change.
Homesickness tends to go away as soon as you start to make friends and adapt to your new routine.
Go out and mingle
The best way to adapt is by making new connections. That means going to class, striking up a conversation with the person next to you and joining a club so that you can meet people who love what you love.
Recognise that others feel the same way
The people around you are feeling just as unsettled as you are. Some will show it and others may keep it to themselves, but feeling disoriented in a new place is very common, so know that you are not alone.
Stay off social media
Seeing that everything back home has not changed may make you feel more homesick.
So, switch off the phone and connect with the people around you. You need to make a new home and you cannot do that over the phone.
Give it time
It will take a couple of weeks before you settle in. If you are still feeling depressed after a fortnight, see a counsellor.