| Select any section that interests you or
else read on through the page. |
| It
is really important to realise that you are not the only
one feeling homesick and that it doesn't in any way mean
you are inadequate. Suddenly, you find that, instead of
being a central person in a small unit with plenty of
peripheral activities and friends, you have become an
anonymous member of a five thousand plus community where
you know no-one. Understandably you feel shaken and lonely
and you long for the secure and the familiar. Sometimes
the emotions are completely overwhelming. |
| What
can you do to help yourself? |
 |
Most
importantly: acknowledge your feelings and accept
them. Believe that they will pass. They almost always
do. |
|
Decide
whether the best policy for you is to have frequent
contact with home (because contact makes you feel
better), or little contact (because contact makes
you feel worse). |
|
Think
carefully about whether or not to go home at weekends
(if this is possible). Some students find it helps
to ease the transition; others find the constant
readjustment makes them feel worse. |
|
Make
a real effort to join societies/activities and to
make at least one or two friends. This might feel
very difficult, but the more you feel part of campus
life, the less homesick you will feel. |
|
Familiarise
yourself with the Student Union. Apart from all
that it offers it is an excellent way to meet people
in the early days before lectures and social events
are really underway. Take a book and sit in a corner
and read if you are afraid of seeming conspicious.
|
|
Try
to establish a routine as soon as possible. The
fuller your days are, the less time you will have
to feel homesick or lonely. |
|
Volunteer
to help with something - there are plenty of groups
looking for volunteers. 'Student Action' in the
Student Union will put you in touch with them if
you tell them you are looking for ways to get involved.
|
|
Sometimes
it helps to share feelings of homesickness. Think
about talking to the Welfare Officer at the SU or
contacting one of the University Counsellors. Sharing
these feelings may take you over the worst period.
|
|
| Adapted from material produced
by Royal Holloway College, the University of London |
