How to overcome your university blues
Many students are struggling with adjusting to their new lives, missing everything they had to leave behind.
University is supposed to be a festival of fun, filled with opportunities to socialise and facing new challenges but more importantly, it is a time to grow up and learn how to live away from everything you've ever known. Beneath the super-exciting façade, many students are struggling with adjusting to their new lives, missing everything they had to leave behind.
The juxtaposition between your old life and the new one at university can be startlingly different. Suffering with feelings of homesickness is not a something you should be embarrassed of; you’re not alone. According to research conducted by The National Union of Students, 50–70% of new UK students experience homesickness during the first few weeks at university and yet not many seem to be able to address the issue.
When Shona Robinson, former student at the University of Roehampton discovered she had got into her first-choice university, she was delighted as it meant she could move away from her home in Gateshead and start a new adventure in London. Shortly after arriving, she began struggling with social and academic pressures. The then 19-year-old Media student, found herself avoiding her flatmates, often laying on her bed after lectures with the lights switched off, thinking about life back home.
“I wasn’t eating properly, couldn’t sleep, and with time my academic progress was affected.’’
“I didn’t feel like myself’ she recalled. “At first, I have made some friends. When I was around them, I felt fine but as soon as I went back to my room, I couldn’t cope with how alone I felt. It wasn’t a true reflection of the reality of things but in my mind; I was completely alone. I wasn’t eating properly, couldn’t sleep, and with time my academic progress was affected.’’
‘’This is when I knew I had developed a social anxiety — I couldn’t face any of my flat mates. I was hiding away in my room and missing lectures, the state of my mental health was quickly deteriorating. It wasn’t until my father had visited me at university that I realised how much I was missing home. I decided to put a stop to my self-destructive behavior and transfer to a university closer to home.’’
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Shona was diagnosed with moderate depression following her move back home. Deeply regretting her decision of not continuing her studies at Roehampton, she said: “I believe things could’ve played out very differently if I had reached out for help, instead I decided to run away from my problems.”
Mohammed, a third-year Business Management student from Norway is more optimistic about his experience. He says: “I have moved miles away from home to improve my career prospects but the reality has proven to be tougher than I had originally anticipated. I was missing my family and friends back home, and didn’t seem to adjust well to the British way of living. Everything seemed so unfamiliar.”
“I have spent a good part of my first year being miserable instead of taking advantage of the fantastic opportunities Roehampton had to offer. At one point, I’d had enough, and realised I needed to come up with a strategy to avoid feeling homesick. I joined societies, started to attend gym and kept myself occupied at all times. I kept telling myself that being away from everything I’ve ever known was only a temporary sacrifice I had to make for the opportunity of an in depth-education — it helped me cope.”
The meaning of being homesick is often misinterpreted. It is a natural reaction to periods of rapid transition and adjustment. Recognising your feelings is the first step to making a change. Here are our top tips on how to nip your university blues in the bud and make the transition easier!
Stay connected
Contact your family and friends from home regularly. Schedule specific times to speak to those close to you regularly and encourage them to visit you at university.
Set yourself a routine
Adapting a daily schedule and managing your time wisely will help you feel more organised. Keeping your calendar filled with activities is a great way of occupying yourself!
Be open to new and different experiences
Cast a wider net. Explore your campus: join a society, attend the free events, volunteer, get active. Student organisations are also a great way of finding your social niche and making new friends who may also be in a similar position.
Make your student house feel like home
Decorating your room is one of the best homesickness busters. Treat your room like a sanctuary; transform your grey room into a colourful, peaceful place, cover your walls with posters, make it comfortable.
Live in the present
Stop dwelling on the fact you are away from home. Instead, focus on where you are and make the most out of it.
Make use of student support services
If you can’t seem to find a way out, contact your university’s student support service. Roehampton offers a range of professional support services. Contacting a welfare officer could be a good option if you require someone to talk to. Student union also offers nightline services, which are very helpful as homesickness often strikes at unsociable hours.
