5 things you should do if you’re feeling homesick

Starting out at a new school can be difficult, especially if you are moving away from friends or family.   

Here are a few strategies you can use to overcome homesickness this semester. 

1. Keep a hopeful outlook

While it may not be obvious, many students feel homesick, even as transfer students. Remind yourself that it’s okay to experience homesickness, especially after you've said goodbye to your friends, family, home or routine. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that homesickness is temporary. Chances are that whatever you're feeling will lessen over time as you become more familiar with campus life and the people at CU. 

Here are some tips for staying hopeful: 

• Set small, achievable goals, like attending one campus event or talking to someone new each week. 
• Remind yourself of the reasons you chose to attend CU and the opportunities that lie ahead. 
• Allow yourself to feel your feelings, and then let them go. 
• Remind yourself that homesickness can be a sign that you have loving relationships with others, which is something to be grateful for. 

2. Stay in touch

As you navigate life on campus and meet new people, it’s important to keep in touch with your friends and family back home. Even if your friends are attending different colleges or living in other cities, checking in and catching up can help you feel more connected.   

If you’re struggling, reach out to someone you trust and talk through it. Leaning on people you love can help remind you that you’re not alone and that you have people you can rely on in tough times. Having a solid support system back home is important, but it also shouldn’t impede you from spending time or creating new connections here at CU. 

Here are some ways to stay connected: 

• Schedule regular calls or video chats with friends or families. 
• Exchange letters with one another. After all, who doesn’t like receiving something in the mail? 
• Stay connected over social by sharing your experiences (or continuing to exchange memes). 
• Create a group chat to keep everyone in the loop and provide collective support. 

3. Establish a routine

Living independently, navigating a new place, taking on more responsibilities and juggling a potentially demanding class schedule may require you to adjust your normal routine. In fact, creating a routine, no matter how small it may be, can help ease feelings of anxiety and make life more predictable.  

Here are some easy ways to add routine to your days:  

• Take the same route to and from your classes. 
• Meet up with friends, classmates or hallmates to eat around the same time. 
• Plan out your time for classes, studying and socializing.  
• Find a study spot on campus that helps you focus.  
• Establish a consistent laundry or cleaning schedule for your space. 

4. Put yourself out there (even if it’s hard)

Making friends as an adult may seem harder than it used to be. It can feel intimidating to be vulnerable and put yourself out there. However, it's important to remember that if you're struggling to make new friends or find ‘your people' here on campus, you're not alone. 

Here are a few ways you can work to put yourself out there:  

• Avoid relying on one person to ‘have it all.’ 
• Stay open to making different friends for different reasons (e.g., someone who is good to study with may not be the same person who would make a good confidant). 
• Get together as a group if you’re nervous about hanging out with someone one-on-one. 
• Become a regular at events or campus activities. 
• Sit near the same people in your classes and join study groups. 
• Remind yourself that some students may be struggling to find connections, so do your best to be inclusive and invite others to tag along.  

5. Connect with resources