How to knock down homesickness

You’re on your own, kid.

Your parents just dropped you off at your new accommodation. If you are lucky to have on-campus accommodation, it means waking up just ten minutes before lectures and then rushing to the classroom. There is also the possibility that you rented a room off-campus, either in Maynooth or in a nearby village. This implies an earlier wake-up and tighter schedule. No matter the location of your accommodation, the feeling is the same. This is probably the first time you’ve ever lived away from home, and you feel like homesickness is eating you from the inside. Do not despair! Here are some tips that helped me manage homesickness. I hope they help you do your best to enjoy college life from week one.

Homesickness is a normal feeling.

Unfortunately, most people believe homesickness is not something you should feel: the pleasure of moving up to college should compensate for any negative emotions. At first, the thrill and excitement of going to college pushes homesickness aside. Once you settle in though, you start to realise you left family and friends. Then, homesickness kicks in. Consider this feeling as a normal reaction to such a big change. Everybody experiences homesickness sooner or later. Allow yourself to feel homesick and do not feel ashamed to tell other people. Realise you just moved out for your first year of college and know that it is a positive step forward to your future career. These are the first points on your list to beat homesickness.

Build your own personal space.

You walk into your new room and it looks a bit cold and without much character. Definitely not to your liking! Believe me, this does not help you at all. Just figure out what your college room should look like. How can you make your room homier?

A couple of extra pillows, a nice soft blanket, some candles, a poster of your favourite pop star or GAA player, and a couple more pictures will do the trick. However, remember to buy things that you can easily box up and transport when you move out. Get something from your room at home and bring it back to college; seeing it every day will certainly cheer you up when you feel low. Place photographs of family, friends and your fluffy pet, if you have one. Looking at them every day will make you feel close to them.

Get busy.

Generally, when one keeps themselves busy, especially by doing something they really like, they tend to forget all other thoughts. I am sure this has happened to you also. Keeping busy is a sure way to avoid homesickness. Besides studying, start having a walk around the village and make yourself comfortable with the area. If you find an interesting shop, just walk in and have a look. Another option, if you are a sporty type, is going for a run or a walk. Treat yourself a bit: get a cup of tea or coffee and a pastry, and try cooking your favourite lunch or dinner. There is always the option of reading a book or watching a film. My personal advice is to be out of the house as much as possible, especially in the early days. Keep in mind that during the first weeks of college, Maynooth Student Union arranges loads of activities. I find being out and seeing people is very helpful.

People help people.

During the first few weeks, everyone is a bit homesick and disorientated. The student sitting next to you in class feels the same. Try saying “Hi” and introduce yourself; do not sit all alone in silence. Making new friends helps you a lot with that lost and homesick feeling.

Another piece of advice is getting in touch with college clubs and societies. There are lots of them; you’re spoiled for choice. Certainly, you will find an interesting club that hosts different events that are perfect to meet people. This will give you the opportunity to meet many fellow students who share your same interests. Break the ice, have a chat, and if you are more of an introvert type, don’t worry: there will always be an extroverted student that will get you involved in the conversation.

Remember to call your family and friends at home, too; having a chat with them is beneficial. They are just one call away.

What’s next?

After a few weeks you will start feeling comfortable in college; you’ll have built up your own routine and met new friends. You will realise that being on your own is extremely cool. Don’t get me wrong, you will still miss home every now and then. Remember that it is fine and completely normal. If homesickness feels too much to handle, speak to someone: don’t keep it to yourself, don’t be ashamed of your feelings. We Maynooth University students are extremely lucky, as the university offers us free counselling: it may be the help that you are looking for. You are perfectly capable of knocking down homesickness. Remember: college is great! You will have fond memories of your time in college.