Just moved away to uni? How to deal with homesickness:
Hey everyone,
So our Liverpool Hope residential halls welcomed all our new students on Saturday, with plenty having already arrived in Liverpool to private accommodation earlier in the week.
Something that people don't speak about enough is how normal it is to feel homesick, even though most people will be feeling that way! For a lot of students, you're 18 and this is the first time moving way from home.
Homesickness will look different for everyone- we don't all have the same relationships to home and our families, so there's not a one-size-fits-all solution. But, as someone who moved far away for uni (during lockdown, so I couldn't go back until Christmas!) this would be my advice:
- Have regular phonecalls/ FaceTimes/ videos with your friends and family from home: Lots of your friends may have also moved away for uni so it's fun to keep each other up to date on your different experiences. It's easy for all of you to get whisked away into the new experiences you're beginning, so it can be comforting and grounding to have check-ins with the people who've known you for years.
- Get into a routine: You've just been thrown out of what may have been the same routine you've always had. This can feel really daunting, so it's nice to try and get settled into a routine that is new but also familiar. Uni classes and household chores (including the weekly shop!) will help with this, but nice things like a regular coffee shop order, or a walking route will help with this. I always loved an evening walk back home, so I had to find a route I liked in Liverpool so that I could start walking in autopilot again as if I was in my hometown!
-Throw yourself into it: The classic advice for a reason. There is so much to do that time will be flying by for you anyway. Try to take on any new experiences that you can handle! But...
-Take care of yourself: there's a lot of pressure to be on every night out, joining every society, going to every campus event, for the fear of missing something, or not doing uni "right". It's equally important to know when you just need some alone time, curled up in your room watching your childhood comfort show.
-Decorate your room: we all have different styles, but I loved the opportunity to create a really colourful and cosy space. I felt really 'at home' in my dorm room by the end of the year, and was sad to leave. This space is your sanctuary so don't underestimate the power of decorations and a few home comforts! And luckily you're never far from a Home Bargains in Liverpool.
-Try and stay in your new city for as long as possible, but remember you can always go home: As I mentioned, I didn't have much choice in the matter, but I think it did me good to be forced to stick it out till Christmas! There were times I was desperate to go home, but the time really does fly and you'll be back before you know it. I think that if I'd gone home earlier I may have struggled to come back again! Having said that, knowing that you have the option is always really comforting, especially if you don't live far. A little weekend at home to recharge could be exactly what you need, and a nice thing to have booked in.
-Chat to your new friends/flatmates: it's likely that you're all feeling different versions of the same thing. Remember you're all in this together.
5 years later, Liverpool is really my second home. I feel a sigh of relief every time I pull up into Lime Street station, and that was a feeling that grew over time. You'll be fine!
Ella
So our Liverpool Hope residential halls welcomed all our new students on Saturday, with plenty having already arrived in Liverpool to private accommodation earlier in the week.
Something that people don't speak about enough is how normal it is to feel homesick, even though most people will be feeling that way! For a lot of students, you're 18 and this is the first time moving way from home.
Homesickness will look different for everyone- we don't all have the same relationships to home and our families, so there's not a one-size-fits-all solution. But, as someone who moved far away for uni (during lockdown, so I couldn't go back until Christmas!) this would be my advice:
- Have regular phonecalls/ FaceTimes/ videos with your friends and family from home: Lots of your friends may have also moved away for uni so it's fun to keep each other up to date on your different experiences. It's easy for all of you to get whisked away into the new experiences you're beginning, so it can be comforting and grounding to have check-ins with the people who've known you for years.
- Get into a routine: You've just been thrown out of what may have been the same routine you've always had. This can feel really daunting, so it's nice to try and get settled into a routine that is new but also familiar. Uni classes and household chores (including the weekly shop!) will help with this, but nice things like a regular coffee shop order, or a walking route will help with this. I always loved an evening walk back home, so I had to find a route I liked in Liverpool so that I could start walking in autopilot again as if I was in my hometown!
-Throw yourself into it: The classic advice for a reason. There is so much to do that time will be flying by for you anyway. Try to take on any new experiences that you can handle! But...
-Take care of yourself: there's a lot of pressure to be on every night out, joining every society, going to every campus event, for the fear of missing something, or not doing uni "right". It's equally important to know when you just need some alone time, curled up in your room watching your childhood comfort show.
-Decorate your room: we all have different styles, but I loved the opportunity to create a really colourful and cosy space. I felt really 'at home' in my dorm room by the end of the year, and was sad to leave. This space is your sanctuary so don't underestimate the power of decorations and a few home comforts! And luckily you're never far from a Home Bargains in Liverpool.
-Try and stay in your new city for as long as possible, but remember you can always go home: As I mentioned, I didn't have much choice in the matter, but I think it did me good to be forced to stick it out till Christmas! There were times I was desperate to go home, but the time really does fly and you'll be back before you know it. I think that if I'd gone home earlier I may have struggled to come back again! Having said that, knowing that you have the option is always really comforting, especially if you don't live far. A little weekend at home to recharge could be exactly what you need, and a nice thing to have booked in.
-Chat to your new friends/flatmates: it's likely that you're all feeling different versions of the same thing. Remember you're all in this together.
5 years later, Liverpool is really my second home. I feel a sigh of relief every time I pull up into Lime Street station, and that was a feeling that grew over time. You'll be fine!
Ella
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