Me Homesick?		Nancy Marsh	Counseling Services/School of Nursing

You may never have thought youd be like Dorothy and turn to Toto and say Theres no place like home.

If you feel homesick, or you know someone who is, you are not alone.

Homesickness is more common than you might think.  Most students going to college experience some degree of homesickness.  It's not surprising that homesickness occurs -- especially during your freshman year. You leave your home life which is a situation that is familiar and a place where you already belong. Then, you enter college life where you are just as unknown as the place around you! Your usual sources of support are no longer present to help you adjust to an unfamiliar environment.

It is natural to long for what is familiar.  Familiarity brings a sense of security and feelings of comfort and ease.  Homesickness is a natural response to being separated from what is familiar and comfortable.  This could include your friends and family, your pets, your home town or simply your daily routine.

Homesickness isnt reserved for just freshman.  Feelings of homesickness can happen anytime you are separated from a situation that is familiar to you.

Here are some tips for you or someone you know who might be feeling homesick now or in the future: 
Share your feelings with others.  If you share your feelings with other students, you will find that you are not alone.  Talking about your feelings with others who feel the same way will not only help you connect with other students, but it will also help you find more ways to adjust to college life.
Keep in touch with family and friends. Keep in touch with your family and friends from home through phone calls, e-mails, letters, etc.  Determine how frequently to keep in touch.  Daily contact could make you feel worse and increase your feelings of homesickness.  This is not always true so you decide how often to keep in touch.
Create a home away from home.  Bring special items from home.  Decorate with photos of family, friends and pets, old posters and knickknacks.  Dont forget your plants and yes, your stuffed animals.
Plan a visit home. Try to avoid impulse visits home.  Its better to plan your trips home  This helps keep you focused on your goal of staying and doing well in school.
Get Involved!   Join a club or student organization. This will give you new activities and immerse you into the college environment.  Open up to experiences at LSSU and find yourself inspired.  Take a look at the Student Life website at www.lssu.edu/studentlife to find a list of clubs & organizations or stop by the Campus Life office in 125 Cisler.
Go to college events - pep rallies, sports events, cultural events or just hang out in the student center.  These events offer you the chance to meet others while enjoying yourself.  Not sure whats going on?  Check out the poster-sized Get Connected & Get Involved calendar for a list of campus events & activities!  Your RA is also a great resource for things to do, both on campus and in the greater community.
Seek new opportunities.   Get involved in your favorite activity, or try new ones.  Find a special interest or hobby.   With over 50 student clubs & organizations, youre bound to find something youll enjoy!  Chat with your floor-mates and your RA to find out what they enjoy.  Maybe youll find a connection or a new opportunity.
Keep a journal. Write about your expectations of college and all your experiences including your feelings.  Its amazing how much better you can feel if you get your thoughts down on paper.
Talk about your feelings. You'll find that you have a lot of support around you. Your RA, counselors, or other campus staff are ready and willing to help you. 
DO NOT find comfort in bad habits or addictions! Partying more or hiding behind alcohol, drugs or sex will not make your feelings go away. They only magnify the situation and make you feel worse!
Remember that adjusting to college life takes time.  Change is not always easy.  It may take a while but your feelings of homesickness will go away eventually.  Be easy with this transition and dont forget to ask for help if you need it.
