Coping With Homesickness

By , Emma Nelson

How do college students deal with being away from home? Also known as homesickness, I would assume every student gets it when they move away to college. Whether it is a distance from home of one hour or half-way across the United States, they all seem to have a similar way of coping.

 Katie McBride, four hours from home, and Caitlynn May, 14 hours from home both agree doing “anything to keep me busy helps keep my mind off it” helps. They are both athletes whom agree too, that being part of a team gives you friends and people to hang out with. “It is an automatic family away from home that you can always count on to be there for you,” expresses May.



Students at a homecoming football game
(Photo by Emma Nelson)



Campuses have a variety of activities to help students cope with homesickness. They allow them to get out and about, meet new friends and have a great time. Such activities may include dances, performances, comedians, sporting events, and many different clubs and organizations are available as well. Those may include athletics, campus activities board, student senate, Fish and Wildlife Club, etc. Jenna Vrchota, a student at Valley City State University explained that she likes to be involved and being part of different activities not only helps with being away from home, but also feels that doing so, “I can make an impact here”.

Package from home
(image from Google Images)

Many students receive packages that bring home to them. The packages may include things as simple as a baggie of mom or grandma’s cookies. Many of the students get packages of unopened mail, random goodies, socks (only mom would know what socks you like), food, and whatever you may have forgotten to pack.

Students also use the technology of Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family they left behind. The pictures and commenting, chatting and messaging allow them to feel like they are only on a short vacation, being able to keep each other updated on life.

 Audrey Fergel, four hours from home is a nontraditional student whom is not an athlete and deals somewhat the same way. She explains “I call home a lot, and just try to stay busy”. Fergel said she is going to do her best to get into different clubs and try new things to help her stay busy. “I have to force myself to do new and different things”.

When another student, Katie Arnold, attending Bemidji State University which is only one and a half hours from home, was asked how she copes with home sickness, she said “just fine, actually, I haven’t gotten it yet.” Then, out of extreme curiosity, the next question was, “why not?” She responded, “Dunno, I guess I just like it here”. In a follow-up email chat, Arnold still hasn’t been homesick. She says “I did swing dancing and just have a lot of friends. Every once in a while I’ll go home if I want or need to.”

So, everyone does not get homesick, but those that do, cope with it in similar ways, trying to stay busy, hanging out with friends, and getting involved.