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Starting university is like diving headfirst into a new world – it’s exciting, fun and liberating. While this is all true, there is one thing we don’t often talk about: homesickness. Whether you’ve traveled halfway across the globe or moved half an hour up the motorway, homesickness can hit anyone at any time.
In fact, according to the National Union of Students (NUS), 50-70% of students experience homesickness during their first few months at uni. That’s right, while everyone might seem to be thriving on social media, there’s a good chance that they feel just as homesick as you do now. So, let’s talk about it.
At Collegiate UK, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to make the transition into university life just that little bit easier.
Validate Your Feelings
Let’s get one thing straight: feeling homesick isn’t a sign of weakness and feeling homesick in no way means that you’re not cut out for university life. In fact, missing home, family and the comfort of familiar surroundings is perfectly normal. It’s important that you let yourself feel homesick and tell yourself that these feelings will pass with time.
Get Offline
We’re all chronically online nowadays, which isn’t always a good thing. Scrolling through Instagram and seeing everyone’s stories can make you feel like the odd one out. Remember, people only post their best moments online and it’s highly likely that they have also had their own tearful FaceTime call with their parents. Try to limit your time spent on social media, especially if it’s making you feel worse. Use that time to do something that makes you genuinely happy instead.
Get Involved
It’s tempting to stay in your room, aka your comfort zone, when you’re feeling down, but this will only make your homesickness worse. University is full of opportunities, so get stuck into them! Join a society, attend freshers’ events or simply strike up a conversation with someone in your class. The more you immerse yourself in uni life, the more you’ll start to feel at home.
Prioritise Self-Care
Investing in some self-TLC is crucial for taking care of your mental and physical health. Make sure you’ve got the basics right: eat well, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep. Take time out to do things that relax and recharge you. Whether it’s a hot bath, a good book or a walk in the park, these little acts of self-love can make a big difference. For more tips on ways to improve your mental wellbeing at university, click here.
Establish a Daily Routine
Creating a routine will help bring you a sense of stability at this time of change. Start small and set a regular sleep schedule, make time for exercise, and plan your meals. A solid routine is key to helping you feel more in control. Plus, good habits like regular exercise and adequate sleep can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
Talk to People
As the saying goes, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. Talking about your homesickness can help you feel less isolated. Whether it’s confiding in a friend, flatmate, your parents or even a university counselor, opening up can lift a weight off your shoulders. You might even find that the person you’re talking to has gone through something similar. Sometimes, just knowing you’re being heard is all it takes to feel better.
More Than Just Student Accommodation at Collegiate UK
At Collegiate UK, we’re here to help our students settle in well at university. We’ve worked hard to create a supportive and welcoming environment and have made sure all our accommodation managers and assistant managers are fully Mental Health First Aid trained by MHFAE.
What’s more, we have partnered with Health Assured to provide our students with a 24-hour helpline to support them through any of life’s issues or problems. Whether it’s for a quick chat or regular check-ins, both Health Assured and Collegiate UK are here to help with personal problems that could be affecting your home or student life.
Click here to find out more about what we do at Collegiate UK.
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