Whether you’re studying away from home and feeling a little homesick or simply concerned about it when applying to university, there’s really no reason to be worried. It’s perfectly natural to feel that way and overcoming homesickness is easier than you might think.
Here’s our best advice on how to deal with homesickness at university, regardless of your situation.
- I’m at university and I miss home - what can I do to overcome it?
- I’m thinking about applying to university but I’m worried about homesickness
I’m at university and I miss home - what can I do to overcome it?
Regardless of how excited you were to get your offer from your chosen university, it’s completely natural to feel a little bit homesick sometimes. Whether you’re a bus ride or plane journey away from home, moving to university is a big transition.
If you’re feeling this way, just remember you’re definitely not the only one!
Go out and explore
When moving to university, you’ll be introduced to a whole new place with lots of great things to see and do. Familiarise yourself with your new surroundings by taking a walk into town with other fellow students or dining out at local restaurants and tasting new food.
This will help you love the city you’re studying in. You might even find districts that embrace your culture, such as Newcastle’s Chinatown in the student-friendly city.
Join clubs and societies
Take a look at the clubs that your university offers. These are typically run by students for students and easy to join. Newcastle has over 160 societies, from dance to debate, to vegan and video games.
There are even some that can be beneficial for your course. Most importantly, they’re a great place to make new friends and have fun events in your calendar to look forward to.
Bring something from home
Whether it’s your childhood teddy bear or a picture of your family, pack these personal items with you. They can comfort you and help you settle in at university. It can also be a nice way to decorate your accommodation.
That reminder of home could even be a family recipe for a delicious, homely meal you can cook with your friends in student accommodation.
Keep in touch with friends and family
It’s now so easy to keep in touch with loved ones. Free video call and instant messaging apps make talking to your friends and family so simple, no matter where in the world they might be located. This is especially useful for international students as sending texts to home can be difficult when just arriving because of the network.
Keeping in contact and talking about all of your new experiences can put you at ease. Even if you’re just sending a photo of an iconic landmark you’ve seen!
I’m thinking about applying to university but I’m worried about homesickness
Deciding to study at university is an exciting time. You gain life skills that will be beneficial for your future career and you’ll get to experience a whole new place with lots of interesting people.
There are over 450,000 students in the UK. You could be studying in a diverse place with many other students who have decided to experience the excellent teaching, multicultural community and the many other benefits the UK has to offer.
Here are some tips to put you at ease.
Think about all the new experiences you’ll enjoy
Wherever you decide to study, you’ll have new and exciting environments, people and teaching styles to experience. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn and love a new town, city or even country.
And when you do visit home, you’ll have so many stories to share and your family will be eager to hear all about them.
Become more independent and less reliant
University is an important time for development, so take that opportunity to grow as a person.
Learning to be less reliant on others, taking responsibility and using your initiative are all valuable life skills you’ll get. You might even pick up new hobbies like cooking along the way.
There’s support if you need it
Don’t think that you’ll be on your own. You can reach out for support if you need it. In fact, it can be very reassuring and answer any questions you might have regarding homesickness.
Most universities will have support systems to talk to. Newcastle University, for example, has a team that’s dedicated to the wellbeing of their students.
Get your application started early
This might not seem like an obvious way to deal with homesickness, but getting the process started on your application early means you can get excited about it. The anticipation, preparing your visa and starting your applications will keep you occupied.
You’ll be so eager to get there, you probably won’t even think of home until you’ve settled in.
Now that you have valuable tips on how to deal with homesickness, such as taking the time to explore your surroundings, it's time to learn more about studying at a UK university.
Deal with homesickness by attending a UK university with lots to experience and see
With so much to see and do, you won’t have any time to feel homesick! Visa applications, finance and finding the right accommodation for you are all the things you need to consider before moving to the UK to study.
To assist you, we’ve made a guide to help make your transition to a UK university as stress-free as possible. To get your free copy, click on the link below.
