I’ll never forget my first year away from home, cut off from old friends and family. I understand how tough it can be in the beginning, not just to adapt, but to actually prefer your new lifestyle. So, if you’re not feeling that the reality of university has met your expectations, if you’re feeling homesick, then read on for the two tips that will change your life!
Open up
Opening up to someone; a classmate, another first year, or even an exchange student. Having an open conversation with someone about the negative thoughts you’ve been feeling is crucial to improving your mental health! If you take that small leap, and express yourself, you will surely be surprised at the response, and how it alleviates your insecurities. Homesickness is one of the few things that everybody feels, and yet nobody talks about. You have no idea how common such feelings are, and if you don’t believe me, there’s a simple way to find out, just ask someone. Anybody.
Say yes!
Its easy to sign up to clubs to who you don’t intend to actually commit, to kindly reject an invitation, or just stay in your room watching Netflix. The hard part is dealing with the consequences. Your first few weeks of university are fundamental to the development of your student experience, the more activities you partake in, the more people you meet, the faster you will come to enjoy, and truly take advantage of, your university days. Say yes to everything anyone throws your way. Try, at least in the beginning, to do everything you can, and I promise that in no time at all, you’ll have forgotten all about your homesickness!
They say time heals all wounds, but unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret. Don’t waste this time, make the most of it, it’s really not that hard. Follow these two tips and I promise you’ll start enjoying yourself in no time at all!