Coping with Homesickness

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

For college students, leaving home and going to college brings a lot of new and exciting opportunities, along with challenges.  This transition can also be stressful, and a time when college students might feel home sick, especially during the first few weeks of starting school.

The JED foundation, offers some helpful  strategies to deal with feelings of homesickness:

  • Bring something to college that gives you comfort and/or reminds you of home, such as pictures of friends and family or your favorite set of sheets.
  • Get involved with campus organizations and activities. As these connections strengthen, feeling of loneliness will ease.
  • Make a plan to stay connected with your existing support network. This contact can be in the form of phone/video calling, texting, and other ways of communicating with loved ones from home; including seeing them in person.
  • Try to find a balance between keeping in touch with friends and family with time spent getting to know your new surroundings and new people.  After the first few days or weeks it might be good to try to cut back on this a bit and to focus more on campus life and school.
  • Don’t isolate: sign up for activities, meet people on your hall, find study groups for your classes, get involved in a religious group, or attend a club that you normally wouldn’t attend.
  • Homesickness usually goes away after a few weeks, but if it doesn’t there are other resources available for you on campus to help you work through a difficult transition period.

In addition, it may be helpful to plan some time to visit friends/family a few weeks ahead and periodically during the semester.  This may also give you something positive to look forward to.

What are some helpful campus resources?

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By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

 Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

Transitioning to College

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

Starting college can be an exciting time, but its also a stressful time.

Some causes of  stress include getting used to living on your own for the first time, and managing your own schedule, academics, food, laundry, homework, and social support and and various other opportunities and challenges offered by college life.

Plan ahead may be useful to manage stress related to transition.  Before the semester starts or during syllabus week, can you plan a trip home for later in the semester? How about planning social obligations ahead of time when possible? A general study schedule and routine?  What about a general schedule for the week/month for buying groceries, exercise, open time to relax/recuperate?  Having a general plan before the semester starts or at the beginning of the semester may help keep you from getting over-scheduled or over-committed.

Who will you reach out to if things are not going well or if you are having problems? (some campus resources are listed below).

What are some helpful steps to ease the transition to College?

The American Psychiatric association suggest these 5 tips for reducing stress during the college transition (2):

  • Become familiar with campus ahead of time
  • Get involved on campus activities.
  • Before the school year starts, proactively plan a visit home.
  • Figure out a way to stay connected with your support system.
  • Establish a health care provider before starting the school year.

Where can I learn more?

The Jed Foundation has numerous articles on successful transition to college:

  • navigating changing relationships on and off campus
  • strategies for adjusting to college life
  • academic success
  • mental health concerns on campus, etc.

What are some helpful campus resources?

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

References:

  1. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/apa-blog/2016/08/5-tips-for-reducing-stress-during-transition-to-college