Coming to Union as a first-year a year ago, I was so excited for the next “four best years of my life”. I was ready to make new friends, live on my own, and take on this next chapter of my life.
However, as glamorous as everyone made college seem, no one warns you about how hard it can be to deal with feeling homesick. I genuinely took seeing my family every day after school for granted; I didn’t realize how much support I received from them, and how much I depended on it. After a difficult day at school, they were always there to listen, give me advice, and help me make hard decisions.
Although they are just “one call away” while I’m at college, nothing compares to living at home. And internally, I have had a drive to prove to them I was able to adjust to college and be independent. The reality, however, was every challenge I faced at college felt ten times harder without my family.
Trying to enjoy college while going through homesickness can be difficult. If you are also experiencing these feelings, you are definitely not alone. Some are better at concealing their emotions than others, but I guarantee that many of your peers are going through the same experience.
My advice to first-years in the same position as I was in is be vulnerable, and seek support from your friends. For the next four years, your friends become your family. Although expressing your feelings can seem daunting at first, it can help you realize that you are not the only one feeling homesick.
Homesickness truly does get better with time. While some may take longer than others, everyone adjusts to college. Essentially, you were just uprooted from a place of comfort and security to living in a brand new environment with people you have never met before, so be patient and kind with yourself as you transition. Wicker Wellness center is also a great resource to use to help overcome homesickness as they have trained staff who you can talk to and receive advice from.
Transitioning to college was particularly difficult for me, but now I have grown to appreciate the community Union has provided—a place I can happily call my home away
