A longing for home – dealing with homesickness

Homesickness is a normal part of the experience of leaving home. New countries and cities can make us long for familiarity. At such times it is important to look after your physical and emotional needs.

Jewels of home

Having some things from home that you treasure can help cheer you up when you’re not feeling your best. To cheer yourself up you could try things such as immersing yourself in your favourite programme/film, foods or traditions. You could also bring your favourite items to make your room feel as homely as possible.

Don’t be discouraged

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Creating a new life takes time – everything from getting to know your local area to making new friends. University is a big life adjustment, so don’t pressure yourself to settle in immediately. With a bit of practise, you’ll soon be a pro!

Be a tourist

When you arrive there’s no shame in being a tourist before you become a fully-fledged Londoner. You could do some research about your local area and look out for some hidden gems that you want to explore. You could also make lists of the ten best coffee shops or art galleries around London and challenge yourself to visit them all by the end of the year. Planning your next adventure will keep you focused on where you are instead of what’s happening at home!

Share the difference

Moving away from the familiarities of home may make you feel unsettled and a little isolated at times. You could use your differences to your advantage and teach your friends to cook your favourite meal, host a language exchange or share stories about your customs and traditions.

Switch off every now and then

It’s important to stay connected with friends and family back home, however, you can become too focused on life at home. Hearing all the small details and seeing all your friends’ fantastic posts on social media can give you a case of FOMO (it’s a real thing!). Unplug every so often and use the time to explore and find balance in your new city – this way you’ll have your own exciting memories and adventures to share! And remember, Instagram isn’t real!

Fill your diary

You are more likely to feel homesick when you are alone with little to do. So whether it be filling up your social calendar or studying that little bit more, keeping busy can often be the best way forward. Adding activities to your days will mean there is less time to miss home - and you get to do plenty of fun things!

Talk and seek support

Isolating yourself can feel like the easiest thing to do at times. Remember that you aren’t alone, as there are many people who will be feeling the same way. Reach out and talk to friends and peers, as they can probably relate to how you feel.

If emotions do become overwhelming and you feel they are hindering you from settling in to university life, remember that you can always contact Student Support and Wellbeing via askUCL, who will be able help you.

Self-care

Making time for yourself can help to soothe the stress that you may be feeling. Remember to sleep and eat on time as well as taking time out to relax. So kick back and listen to your favourite music, have a cup of tea or settle down for the night with a movie.