How to Deal With Homesickness

I was eighteen years old when I first moved away from home. I was excited about going to university and of all the new opportunities that were set before me. It did not really dawn on me that I might suffer from homesickness. Oftentimes, it is only after you have moved away from home that you realize that what you wanted to get away from is what you want to return to! You want to go back home to your family and what you know best.

Have realistic expectations of your new home

Give yourself time to settle into your new home before you form a solid opinion of it. In the first few days and weeks after you move away from home, you may not like it and wonder why you thought so highly of the town, the house and the surroundings before. This is only natural. Remember that what you have left behind is not necessarily better than what you now have. It is just unfamiliar and different. You no longer know which shortcuts to take to get to the shops, the layout of the local area is different and it may seem intimidating, particularly if you move to a big city from a small town. You will gradually get to know your new home, and surroundings. Just allow yourself the time to properly acquaint yourself with it.

Do not return home!

If you are suffering very badly from homesickness, you may feel tempted and even come close to returning home. But think of why this is the case. You may have a legitimate reason to move back home and if so, that is fine. It is your decision to make, after all. But if you are simply missing your family, do not hastily pack your bags and return home. Think of the reasons why you moved away in the first place. If you are just starting university or college, do you really want to jeopardize your education and waste the money you have spent by going home? What will that achieve? Your family are more likely to be disappointed with you for returning home, under such circumstances.

Keep in touch with your family and friends

Beat loneliness and homesickness by maintaining contact with your family and friends back home. Buy a calling card and call your family and friends on a regular basis. Keep them up to date with your progress. You can also e-mail or write to them. They will appreciate the contact and will see that you are coping after all. It will help you to cope more easily if you speak to and hear from your loved ones.

Visits

Once you are settled into your new home, you can then receive visitors from home or go home yourself during the holidays or other convenient times. These visits will really help you to cope with homesickness. It is not always easy to deal with living apart from close family members and friends. Going home can therefore help alleviate feelings of homesickness. You may even find that when the time comes to go home you do not feel as bad as when you first moved away. This is due in part to settling into your new home and community.

Make friends

When you move away from home for the first time, do not isolate yourself and indulge in self-pity. This will not help you! Would your family wish you to be miserable and pining for home? They are more likely to be concerned for your emotional welfare. One way you can achieve a balance is to make friends. If you are sharing a house with other students, make an effort to get to know them. They may not become close friends. But they are in the same boat as you, so reach out to them and try to get along with them. It will help you to feel settled and happier with your living arrangements. Disputes among house mates will only make you want to go home all the more, so be reasonable and try to make your new home life pleasant, for everyone's sakes.

In conclusion, how you deal with homesickness is really up to you. It is natural to long for familiarity and family, but just remember that it is not going to always be an option. So make the most of what you have, focus on the positive aspects of your new home, and keep in touch with family and friends back home. These steps can all contribute to a smoother move.