What to do when you feel homesick at university
The first few months of university can be fun and challenging at the same time. And, if you’ve moved away from home for the first time, it’s normal to feel homesick now and again.
Feeling a bit unsettled is completely normal. Whether that’s at the start of university or during this time of year when you start to think more about family time.
The thing to remember is that you are not alone. Don’t beat yourself up when you start to feel lonely or like you are missing your family. Everyone goes through it at some point, so it’s important to be kind to yourself. Here are some tips on how to deal with homesickness at university.
Keep in regular contact with friends and family
The first few months at university are a busy time. As a result, it is easy to fall out of touch with your friends and family.
Your loved ones are often central to your happiness and wellbeing, so it’s important to lean on them when you need support. Start by setting up a regular routine of communication.
If you’re living away from home this might include a weekly call or Facetime. For commuters, setting aside some time every week to sit down with your family or talk to your friends. Having a chat can often make a world of difference when you are feeling lonely or homesick.
Find people with common interests
You may have already met people on your course or in your accommodation. But this doesn’t mean that conflicting schedules make it easy to catch up.
Broaden your friendship group by joining a club or society. The Union have something for everyone to get involved in. From sports clubs to film, gaming, and food societies – you’re bound to find something you will enjoy. Plus, you’ll meet lots of fun and interesting people.
If a club isn’t your thing. Why not look at volunteering opportunities? The Union work with local and national charities that are always looking for people to help. Giving back is not only a great thing to do, but it also helps your happiness and emotional wellbeing.
Lean on support networks at the University
Don’t get to the point where you are feeling overwhelmed by university life and thinking about dropping. Reach out to people. Chances are you are not the only one feeling this way.
Talk to your classmates if you’re struggling with settling in. Can’t get to grip with managing your workload? Chat with your tutors who can give you advice on managing time or tools you can use to get a better work-life balance.
If you feel your mental health is suffering, we have different support networks you can use. Our Counselling, Mental Health, and Wellbeing services offer 1-2-1 appointments for you to chat with an adviser. We also offer a range of wellbeing workshops and courses including managing stress and mindfulness.
We also offer an online support community called Togetherall. It is a safe place where you can talk anonymously to peers who have been through similar situations and have felt how you are feeling. It is available 24/7 and monitored by health professionals.
Make some ‘you’ time
University life can feel a bit like a whirlwind. Take some time out of your busy schedule to do something you enjoy. While binge viewing a Netflix series is often a go-to activity, try to go out and get some fresh air.
This might include taking a walk around a local park or a stroll through the city centre. Why not explore somewhere new? Manchester has lots of cool and interesting places to discover. Plus, it doesn’t have to be costly. Check out some of the free things you can do in Manchester.
