Dealing with Homesickness at University

This post is part of our "Next Stop: Uni" series which guides you through each week of the summer between finishing school and Freshers so you can start uni prepared and excited.

Next Stop: Uni by UniHomes

Homesickness: it hits us all. Moving out to go to uni for the first time can really make you miss all the familiar home comforts that you left behind, whether that’s your family, your friends, your pets, or even just your childhood bedroom and a regular routine. But don’t let being homesick get in the way of you living your new life as a Fresher. Here are our top tips for embracing your feelings and dealing with being homesick as a student, so that you can make the most of university life.

Decorate your room

It’s the small things that count, and decorating your new room in your uni halls is a great way to make your space feel like it belongs to and reflects you, which in turn will help make uni feel that little bit more like home. Plus, it’s a good way to pass the time and distract your brain for a few hours.

Need some room decor ideas? Check out our blog post on uni room decor inspo and student discounts.

Join societies

Societies are an underrated antidote to homesickness. Getting involved in an activity (whether it’s something completely new or comfortingly familiar) means that you’re getting out of the house, meeting new people, and distracting your brain. Plus, societies are part of the classic uni experience, and who doesn’t want to give that a go?

If you don’t know where to start or what to expect with student societies, you’re in luck; our Content Ambassador Sophie has written a guide explaining everything she wishes she’d known about societies beforehand.

Say hi to home

Missing your friends and family? Give them a call! Sometimes just hearing everyone’s voices and having a quick catch up is all you need to put your mind at ease again. Besides, it’s always nice to hear about all the gossip you’re missing out on back home.

Fight the Freshers’ flu

A new cohort of Freshers can often only mean one thing: germs. Think about it – what with thousands of eager and bright-eyed new students from all corners of the country and beyond flocking to universities, it’s only natural that there’ll end up being a few bugs going around. And whilst getting Freshers’ flu isn’t the end of the world, lying in bed for a week in convalescence can give your brain a bit too much time to think about home and all that you miss about it.

Preventative measures – such as getting enough sleep, eating properly, and washing your hands well and often – won’t always stop you from falling ill though, so if you start to feel those common Freshers’ flu symptoms coming on (nausea, shivering, a blocked or runny nose, headaches, fever, and fatigue), here’s how you can nurse yourself back to good health:

• Stay hydrated

• Eat your veggies

• Take painkillers

• Get a few good nights’ sleep

• Seek medical advice if your symptoms don’t improve after 7 days, or if they get worse.

Read our blog post on how to avoid Freshers’ flu for even more insights.

Look after yourself

That goes for both your mental and physical health, and our blog post on how to support your wellbeing while at uni is a great place to start if you’re feeling a little low. Don’t forget the basics, too: it’s important to remember to eat well and often, and going for walks and exercising regularly can offer an instant serotonin boost.

If things get particularly tough, don’t be afraid to speak to your university’s mental health services or a doctor – they can signpost you to useful resources and introduce you to helpful coping strategies, helping you to deal with your homesickness in a healthy way.

Stick it out

Questions like ‘how do I drop out of uni?’ and ‘how do I transfer to a different university?’ have all entered our heads on at least one occasion. But, more often than not, that’s just the homesickness talking – try sticking out the rest of the term, and you’ll most likely find that university starts to feel like, well, home. Trust us, you’ll be begging to get back to uni once the Christmas break rolls around.