Starting college is one of life’s biggest transitions. It’s exciting and often overwhelming. And it can feel scary as well.
When you start college, you basically embrace a whole new set of responsibilities. It’s a transition from being an adolescent to slowly stepping into the fun world of adulthood.
For many students, this period of life, although exciting, can create a sense of nostalgia and homesickness. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Quite the contrary, it’s normal to miss your family and friends from back home.
You shouldn’t fight this feeling but you also shouldn’t let it overwhelm you. What you can do is try to make it emotionally easier and avoid drowning in it.
There are several ways to do that. We’ll give you some tips below on how to avoid feeling overwhelmed by homesickness. So, if you’re soon finishing high school and getting ready to move away from home, this is just the reading material you need.
Why nostalgia is inevitable
Whenever you make a certain change in your life, even if you’re looking forward to that change, the feeling of nostalgia is bound to follow you. Of course, sometimes the feeling is more prominent as each and every one of us deals differently with change.
In fact, nostalgia doesn’t even have to be connected to a specific event. You can also feel nostalgia about the past or a period of your life you really enjoyed. Research has actually shown that most people feel nostalgic every week. So, as you can see, we’re all suffering from the same illness.
The feeling is a natural response to everything happening around us. It’s merely important not to get lost in it.
Fighting nostalgia as a student
As a student, you feel a lot of feelings. And that’s completely understandable. Most of us who’ve been through that period of our lives can relate to the fact that it’s a very tricky and challenging time as you’re only just finding yourself.
However, you can always bring bits and pieces of home with you if that will ease the transition.
Build a routine you enjoy
One of the hardest parts of college life is adjusting to freedom. Suddenly, no one tells you when to wake up, study, or eat. Doesn’t sound too bad, right?
But without structure, it’s easy to drift and find yourself completely without a routine. And that can easily lead to you feeling nostalgic.
Creating a daily routine helps you stay anchored in the present. Start with simple habits: wake up at the same time, set aside blocks for classes, meals, exercise, and downtime. Use digital tools like planners or scheduling apps to stay on track. Having a rhythm gives your mind a sense of safety, which naturally reduces the emotional pull of the past.
When your days feel stable and purposeful, you’re less likely to spend hours reliving old moments. Instead, you’ll have the energy to build new ones.
Stay connected but set boundaries
Homesickness is real. Most college students miss their family, friends, and their familiar routines. The first semester is usually the toughest but once you manage to get through it, things get a bit easier.
You’ll want to stay connected to your family so make sure to call them a couple of times per week or text. Keep them in the loop with what’s going on in your life but try to avoid constant contact. That will allow you to have time to create a new life for yourself without constantly relying on people from your past.
If you find yourself constantly revisiting old photos, try this small but powerful strategy: digitize your memories so they’re safely stored, but not always in your face. This way, you’ll have a piece of home with you that makes you feel secure.
To do that, you can simply look for a photo scanning service nearby and your childhood memories will be quickly turned into digital copies.
Make your space feel like home
Your dorm room or first apartment is more than a place to sleep; it’s your new comfort zone.
Decorating it intentionally can make your college life much easier. When your room feels familiar and reflects your identity, you’ll feel more at home.
Bring a few items from home that make you feel good. For instance, if there’s a figurine or a piece of art or a blanket that reminds you of home, it’s completely fine if you bring it with you. Again, just try not to overdo it.
It’s also important to make room for your college memories so don’t overclutter your dorm with memorabilia from the past.
Create new memories to cherish
One of the best ways to fight nostalgia is to give yourself something new to remember. And you don’t have to sit and wait for fun things to happen. You can take initiative and start making memories for yourself.
There are so many things you can experience at college. Join a club. Sign up for a fitness class. Volunteer for a cause you care about. Take weekend trips with classmates. The more memories you create, the more your present starts to feel like home.
The final word: Embracing college life
College can be a scary place but it’s only as scary as you allow it to be. There’s nothing wrong or embarrassing about feeling homesick; that’s the first thing you need to remember.
As a student, you’ll get to experience so many new adventures that you’ll soon forget about ever feeling nostalgic. However, as the first semester is the most difficult one, don’t be afraid to bring a keepsake from home. Make digital copies of your photos so you can always look at them when nostalgia kicks in. Call home when you need words of reassurance.
Finally, remember to make new memories and seek new experiences. Make friends, go out, join the drama club and make a memorable college experience.
