Homesickness

Take risks, make friends

DESIREE NIXON News Editor @DesireeNixon17

Freshman year of college can be an exciting experience. However, it can also be nerve-racking for students. They move away from homes and sometimes don’t have anyone at school to talk to. Upperclassman and the counseling center offer support and advice for new students.

Alumnus Courtney Denbow came to Missouri State without a large support system. Her hometown was five hours away and she only knew one person at MSU.

“You have to be willing to try new things and get out of your comfort zone in order to really be a part of the community,” Denbow said.

Denbow said she soon discovered she is in charge of creating her own experience.

Fiona Lefresne, a graduate athletic training student, came to MSU from Florida and knew no one. She knew she had to talk to people she did not know in order to do things.

“What helped me was asking the other peo

Graphic by Katelyn Betz/ THE STANDARD Students away from home for the first time are in charge of creating their own experiences. ple on my (residence hall) floor to do things, even if we didn’t know each other,” Lefresne said. “My friend circle slowly expanded from there.”

Lefresne said her friend circle grew and she began to love MSU. She said she loved it so much she decided to stay for two more years to get her master’s degree. Her loneliness was overcome.

Rhonda Lesley, director of Magers Health and Wellness’ Counseling Center, offers similar advice she said students need to know that being homesick and lonely can be normal for some freshmen. However, that should not determine your experience.

“Acknowledge the feelings as being a normal part of being away at a new space,” Lesley said.

This may be somewhat normal, however, Lesley said students should not feel alone.

“Recognize you are not alone in your feel ings,” Lesley said. “There are plenty of other new students longing for their friends and family back home.”

In order to move past those feelings, Lesley said she advises students to go out and try something new. They should try to be involved and reach out to others.

However, if that does not work, Lesley said the university has resources to help.

“If you are feeling depressed or anxious to the point it is significantly impairing your ability to do what you need to do, schedule an appointment with one of the counselors in the counseling center,” Lesley said.

The MSU’s counseling center offers free counseling services to students, Lesley said.

“Students taking at least one credit hour may utilize up to eight sessions of counseling per semester,” Lesley said. “The sessions help students get back to ‘normal’ or find a ‘new normal.’” In order to make an appointment at the counseling center, call 417-836-5116.

Lesley said her personal advice to students is to have a good balance of sleep, exercise and social life.

“Balance seems to be a huge part of the se cret to success as a college student,” Lesley said. For more information regarding the coun seling center visit the counseling center’s website at counselingcenter.missouristate.edu.

Diana Dudenhoeffer/THE STANDARD Living off-campus for the first time can be scary, but you don’t have to do everything yourself. Relying on friends, neighbors and roommates can be one way to ease the burden of being on your own.

Tips, tricks for living off-campus

CARISSA CODEL @CarissaCodelTV

Not living at home or in a dorm for the first time can be tough. However, there are a few tips and tricks which might answer a few questions about living off-campus.

Tayler Detten, an alumnus of MSU, made safety a priority.

“I got a big, scary-looking dog for security reasons and everyone knew, so nobody messed with me ever in years of living alone,” Detten said.

Detten said if you don’t want to pay the price for a home security system, consider buying door chime sensors that sound like an alarm.

“A four pack is $20,” Detten said. “My neighbors at a really sketchy place used to comment on my ‘alarm’ all the time.”

Detten said that when she was out of town, her friends would drive by her home to make sure everything was fine.

If you live alone, Detten said to get close with neighbors.

“Try to make friends with one or two neighbors so they can help look out for you,” Detten said. “Let people know what you’re doing, since nobody’s home to know if you’re safe or not.”

Grace Murray, a senior entertainment management major, offered tips which help with the transition of moving off-campus.

“Always plan an extra 30 minutes for parking and commute,” Murray said.

Aside from having enough time to get onto campus, Murray also offered advice for having enough money for food.

Murray said it is helpful to make a “standard grocery list” that fits a budget and go to the store at regular intervals.

Not only will the way students get food when living off campus, but students’ health will change as well.

“Exercise since you won’t be walking around campus as much and try not to go back and forth to home between classes,” Murray said.

Murray said separating your work and chill space is also important.

“Get as much work done as you can on campus between classes, so that home is more of a reprieve,” Murray said.

Whether it be safety or practicality, living off-campus for the first time is going to be a big change, so just learn as you go.