Homesick Blues

Katie Davin
10 minutes ago
3 min read

It's that time of year — a new season of life begins as you embark on a journey to a potentially brand new city, region, or state and start the next leg of your education. It carries a mix of excitement and gnawing uncertainty, and for some, it can feel like a completely solo experience. Some students are lucky enough to arrive on campus alongside friends from home, surrounded by familiar faces from day one. For others, it can feel like a sea of strangers and uncharted territory. But for many, the first year of college brings a significant sense of sadness and longing for home and the comfort of the familiar.

Homesickness is a grief response to changes in your surroundings and routine. It is most commonly experienced during the first year of college, though it can surface at any point in your college career and even beyond. It is a completely natural reaction to a major life transition, and while the experience is widely shared, the signs and duration can look different for each person.

Emotional Signs:

Sadness and bouts of tearfulness
Loneliness
Anxiety or worry about your new surroundings
Irritability and mood swings
Feelings of hopelessness

Physical Signs:

Difficulty sleeping
Changes in appetite
Stomach upset or a persistent feeling of being "sick to your stomach"
Fatigue

Behavioral and Cognitive Signs:

Persistent thoughts about home
Difficulty concentrating
Social withdrawal
Low motivation

Homesickness is far from a solitary experience. Research suggests that between 70% and 94% of incoming first-year students report mild-to-severe homesickness during their initial weeks on campus. And when you layer in challenging coursework and a demanding schedule, this visceral reaction to change can feel like an added weight you didn't sign up for. Here are some ways to grapple with that beastly homesickness:

Acknowledge and name how you feel. This is a time to practice self-compassion and sideline the self-judgement. You just made a huge and courageous leap; there is no "correct" way to feel.
Lean into comfort. Listen to a favorite song, watch a show that makes you laugh, and schedule regular time to connect with loved ones from home. That said, be mindful of finding a balance between staying connected with home and engaging with your new environment.
Move your body. Pair physical activity with exploration of your new surroundings when you can, and try to make it a routine. Exercise is protective against emotional difficulties, and combining movement with your new environment can be doubly effective — easing emotional distress while building familiarity with the area.
Nourish yourself. An upset stomach can make eating feel like the last thing you want to do, but do your best to meet your nutritional needs.
Set small, concrete social goals. Explore campus or residence hall events, identify a club that interests you, say hello to the person sitting next to you in class, look into intramural sports, or apply for a campus job. Small steps add up.
Venture off campus. Explore the surrounding town and find a local spot that aligns with your interests, whether it’s a coffee shop, thrift store, art gallery, or studio. It can be grounding to remember that life exists beyond the college bubble, and connecting with the broader community can deepen your sense of belonging.
Limit scrolling (yes, we said it) and attend your classes, even on the hard days when that's all you can manage.

Homesickness is likely to ease as the semester unfolds, but if the emotional and physical experiences described above persist, we encourage you to reach out for professional support. Check in with your campus student health or counseling center to explore what services are available — there may even be support groups specifically for homesickness. And here at Redfish Counseling, we have a range of clinicians who are ready to support you through the experience of missing home and the people you love.

References:

Thurber, C. A., & Walton, E. A. (2012). Homesickness and Adjustment in University Students. Journal of American College Health, 60(5), 415–419. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2012.673520

Katie Davin, LCMHC

Katie is motivated to assist individuals in tackling the obstacles that prevent them from connecting with others and experiencing life in the ways they want to. Katie helps clients achieve this by equipping them with knowledge and strategic, practical skills. Fueled by her love of all things science, Katie’s counseling is greatly informed by current research in the field as well as her own life experiences. She takes an eclectic approach and utilizes a variety of techniques best suited to each client. Ultimately, Katie aspires to make therapy an organic process by cultivating collaboration and acceptance within every session.

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