Coping with homesickness
Posted on 6 October 2017
The excitement of Freshers’ Week has died down, the realities of academic work have kicked in, you’ve not yet found a new best friend - you may be starting to want the comforts of home right now. But don’t worry - homesickness is very common and there are ways to get through it.
Tips to beat homesickness
1. Get out of your room
It can be tempting to hibernate in your comfort zone but this won’t help you meet people and make York feel like your new home. Study in the Library or in one of the cafes on campus. Don’t isolate yourself.
2. Know others are feeling this way too
It may seem that everyone around you has already found a group of friends, is partying every night, and having Much More Fun than you. This is probably not true. Decide what you want from your university experience and work towards that. And with that in mind:
3. Keep busy
University is a great opportunity to try out new things and find new interests. We have more than 180 student societies to choose from and your college has a full programme of activities. You’re bound to find something for you - and meet like-minded people, too.
4. Get out and about
You may only be in York for a few short years so get to know the whole of campus and the city to help make it feel more familiar. Go for walks, take sightseeing trips, volunteer in the community or get a part-time job.
5. Connect with people
Do things with the people around you. Organise activities with flatmates such as cooking together or watching box sets.
6. Contact home (but not too much)
Just because you’re in York doesn’t mean you have to cut yourself off from home completely. Keep in touch with family and friends at home - though don’t visit home too soon. If you’re not in York then you can’t make York feel like home - instead, invite them to visit you.
7. Ask for help
Hopefully, feeling homesick will pass but, if you’re really struggling, then ask for help. See our health and wellbeing pages for workshops or groups that may help or the wide range of people you can contact for more support, including your college tutors.
Don’t take our word for it…
Read what other students say about how they have dealt with homesickness. See Emma’s advice on How to beat homesickness or, if you’re an international student, read Roberta’s experience of Being an International Student in York.