FEELING HOMESICK & LONELY

Being away from your family, friends and childhood home can be a really daunting experience.Here’s some practical advice...

Feeling isolated at uni can be a particularly difficult experience because everyone is hopeful you’ll be having loads of fun. From time to time, though, it’s likely that you’ll feel lonely or homesick, which can sometimes lead to feelings of disappointment, guilt or fears that you’re not normal (and that’s on top of what you’re already feeling).

First off, be realistic –everyone feels like this at some point, whether they admit it or not. It might not look like others are struggling, but some probably are. Moving away from your home and everything you know –sometimes to a completely different country – is a massive undertaking. So don’t believe you’re a failure for feeling this way and neither should you feel guilty. Here’s how to get back on your feet and send homesickness packing…

Get plenty of exercise and eat well. If you’re feeling down, taking care of your body will help you feel better quicker (see our article about mental health and exercise on p64).

Bring some of your favourite things from home. Make your student housing as comforting as possible. Bring your stuff with you – bedsheets, posters and even Ted Bear – to make it feel like a home from home.

Keep a journal. Some people find writing their thoughts down really therapeutic. Write whatever you want – no one will ever see it but you.

Get outside. You may not fancy it but head outside to visit friends or just go for a walk. Being out in the fresh air really will help you feel better.

Keep in touch. Call, Skype or even snail mail with your friends and family back home and be honest about how you’re feeling. (But don’t spend all of your time chatting on Facebook and forget about life at university…)