University is a time of major change, for many it means leaving your comfort zone and building a life in a different city. This is an exciting and transformational time, but it can also be challenging, you’re leaving home, your routine changes and you’re facing new academic standards. But these are all normal feelings to have during any major life change, especially at university. In this blog we looked back at times we felt homesick and what coping strategies we used in order to get through it and get the most out of our university experience despite the challenges.
Tyler: First year homesickness
When I moved to Manchester it meant leaving my comfort zone in a lot of ways. I had spent the last year living at home and working full time during my year out. This meant I had a solid community in my hometown and leaving that was difficult, even though I was excited to be at university.
In the first couple of weeks at university, your schedule is so full, with freshers week activities and starting lectures. For me this meant I didn’t really miss home all that much, I was too busy with everything that starting university brings. I didn’t start to feel homesick until around the end of the first semester. It’s actually well documented that many students struggle during this time. The newness of being at university starts to settle in, academic pressures ramp up and you start to miss your friends and family back home.
The good news is that as difficult as this is, this feeling will pass. Here’s some things I did to help myself get through this period and start making the most of my time at uni:
1. Don’t compare your experience to others:
It’s easy to look at your friends’ social media accounts and imagine the kind of experience they are having at university. The truth is that everyone struggles in some way while being at uni, and they may not share this with you. So try not to compare your experience with others and instead focus on getting the most out of your own journey.
2. Build a routine:
When moving to university, your routine completely changes. This can be a difficult experience, but it’s also an opportunity for you to build a new routine, and try things you never have before. When I went through a period of missing home, I got a gym membership, and made exercise a big part of my new routine. Being physically active made me feel more well, physically and mentally. Accepting that a shift in routine is normal, and implementing small changes like this into your routine, is a great way to start feeling more at home at university.
Amy: A Perspective from a Year Abroad
During my degree here in Manchester, I undertook a year abroad in the USA! This meant leaving behind the friends, communities and comfort I had built in Manchester over the last two years. Whilst away, I felt homesick often and being so far away from family and friends really made me question my decision to study abroad.
Building a community and support network from scratch is difficult as there are cultural differences and an entire new university to get to know! This can be exciting but it’s totally normal to feel intimidated by these changes. Here’s my advice on how to make this transition easier.
3. Allow yourself time to settle in:
Feeling at home and building close friendships to lean on takes time, don’t expect for it to happen overnight. Instead spend this time doing things you enjoy and trying new hobbies – everything else will come with time!
4. Keep in touch:
Another piece of advice is to not be afraid of contacting friends and family at home, they want the best for you and it will help you to have home comforts so far away. You can also reach out to the University at any time to access support when you are feeling low.
By taking your time to settle in, find routines, get to know your city, it will build together slowly and you will feel a sense of comfort in your new life.
Cathy: An international student perspective
For me, homesickness often came at unexpected moments. When something went wrong or I was having a particularly difficult day, I would sometimes think, “if I were at home, I wouldn’t have to figure this out all by myself.
Being in a new country for the first time, sometimes I just didn’t know what to do and who to ask for help. As an international student where home is 10 hours away from Manchester by plane, going home often is just not really an option, and this can feel isolating. The University knows this, and there is support available to you, to make this transition easier.
5. Use your resources:
Over time, I was able to build my own support network and get more familiar with the campus and the city. Going to events run by groups like the international student society or other student society groups is a really great way to get to know the country and build community. I stayed in touch with my family but over time I also started relying more on my friends and the University support when I needed it. Another thing I think is really helpful is to make use of the resources the University provides, such as the Student Support Hubs of your school and Qwell (a free online wellbeing support service).
Missing home can be very difficult to cope with at first, but we will eventually find our ways to settle in and feel a sense of belonging.
Feeling homesick is a completely normal part of life at university, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy your time here. The important thing is to acknowledge those feelings and take steps to feel more at home while being at university. Implementing a healthy routine, building relationships through societies are all ways that you can proactively work to get the most out of the university experience. In addition, don’t be afraid to make use of university support resources to help you out to feel more at home, this includes:
- UoM Sport activities
- ResLife events for Halls
- Wellbeing Services
- International Student Support
- Peer mentoring programs within your course.
- Students’ Union Societies
Enjoy your time at The University of Manchester! 🙂