Feeling Homesick in Your First Year? Here’s what to do

Is it normal to be homesick at university?

Yes! Homesickness is normal, so if it does get to you, know you are not alone. It's one of the most common experiences for students during their first year at university.

University is a crash course in adulting. You’re paying rent, living on your own (or in house shares), commuting, managing your own time and more - all while juggling full-time study. It’s a lot, and so normal to miss the comforts of being at home.

You might not even think you’re homesick until something sets it off. It could happen after coming back to uni after a break, after friends from back home leave after a visit, or even if you’ve got a stack of uni work to get through.

Homesickness looks very different depending on who you are and can happen at any point in your university experience. Signs of homesickness include; 

• Low mood

• Irritability

• Disturbed sleep

• Sadness or even anger

• Headaches and low energy

• Appetite changes.

Should I go home if I feel homesick?

That’s entirely up to you. Going home could be a good idea, especially if homesickness is affecting you severely. However, going home can sometimes intensify homesickness, making it hard to leave and tougher when you first get back.

Staying for a few weeks to adjust to your new surroundings will go a long way in laying the groundwork to thrive throughout your first year and the rest of your uni experience.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to work through it and find healthy ways to cope. Let’s explore how.

How to deal with homesickness at university

Homesickness is a strong feeling, and it can feel really hard to find a way out. But there are ways to help; it’s all about finding what works for you and won’t leave you feeling a hundred times worse.

Create a routine

Establishing daily rhythms is so important. Planning out your day can help you feel more grounded and give you things to look forward to.

Think about what you can incorporate into your daily routine: going for a run in the mornings, an evening walk, having dinner at the same time every day, making time to see uni friends, going to the gym and setting aside study hours and library time.

Having a routine isn’t to mask your feelings. Think of it as a way to keep you busy and avoid bedrot.

Video/phone your friends and family

Phoning home is a perfect way to keep that homely connection while you get used to new surroundings and people.

Notice how you feel after calling home. For some of you, it could make the homesickness worse. But others might find it helps with the transition. If you feel worse after calling home, try spacing them out or keeping them short.

Plus, you’ll save a lot on travel costs, especially if you live far from home.

Bring a few home comforts

Bringing something familiar from home can make your surroundings more comfortable. It might be pictures of family and close friends, a childhood teddy or even your fave blanket.

Make your room yours. It’s going to be your living space for the better part of a year, so it’s worth making sure that you’ll be comfortable there.

Throw yourself into the experience

There’s nothing worse than experiencing homesickness and locking yourself away in your room for the whole of your first year.

Commit to trying new things, meeting new people and attending events. Just living in the moment will help you settle in.

Joining a society is one of the easiest ways to start meeting people and making friends. If you have a particular interest, check out your student services website ahead of time. There’ll be a list with all the societies at your university.

Go exploring

You’re in a new place! Go out and see it. Whether that’s having a nosey around the city or town you live in, or an attraction nearby – even if you just take a walk around the campus, it’s good to get out and breathe in some actual air.

If you’re near a famous town/city, take a walking or open-bus tour. Near a river? Walk (safely) along its banks. Check if your uni offers tours, too. It’s worth it. 

Talk to someone

Whether that’s someone you’ve hung out with from a society you’ve joined or your flatmates, you’d be surprised how much opening up to someone will help.

It could strengthen blossoming friendships and also help create support networks, which are a godsend, especially during those first few months and beyond.

Homesickness can trigger anxiety or depression. So if it’s particularly severe, your university will have plenty of mental health services to help you out. If you’re not sure who to speak to, check in with your lecturer, and they’ll point you in the right direction.

Will homesickness ever go away?

Yes, homesickness usually fades as you settle in. But being totally real, homesickness isn’t just for first years. It can happen multiple times, whether it’s triggered by the exam period or having a massive amount of essays to get done. 

Homesickness can fade! There’ll be loads of times where you don’t miss home at all. What really matters is how you deal with those episodes of homesickness; that’s why it’s so important to set those coping mechanisms early.

Homesickness is hard, and it’s easy to think that you’re alone. But we promise, you’re not. There are plenty of students who feel the same way you do. While everyone experiences homesickness differently, it’s always important to be kind to yourself. You’ve got this.