Moving away from home to a new, unfamiliar place can be difficult at first. Homesickness isn’t uncommon among college freshmen, and when they need someone to talk to, they often turn to their parents. Here are some ways to help your student adjust to life away from home.
Being there
Be willing to listen to your child’s feelings and needs. Sometimes it’s nice for students to have someone familiar to talk to. They don’t always need advice, just someone who will listen. It’s important for students to talk to someone at home a few times each week or even a few times a day at the beginning of their freshman year.
Keeping busy
Encourage your child to stay on campus as often as possible. This is the best way to adjust to life in a new place. This gives students the chance to hang out with friends and classmates and not think about home. Keeping busy is always a great way to take your mind off of things that make you sad or stressed.
Goal-setting
Help your child set goals for himself or herself. This can be for the week, semester or the entire year. It can give them a purpose and something to spend time on so their thoughts aren’t consumed by home.
Enjoying alone time
While making friends is an important part of adjusting to college life, it’s important for your child to also enjoy their alone time. It might help to make a list of activities they like to do outside of class, and ensure they make time for those activities.
A care package
Send your student a care package – this is always a nice reminder that you’re thinking of them.
Visiting campus
Plan a visit to campus – you can spend a weekend exploring campus and Bloomington with your son or daughter. Check out different shops and restaurants and see what your child has been up to at IU.
Additional guidance
More than anything, it’s important to remember homesickness is something many new college students deal with and experience.
It’s rare for homesickness to lead to something more serious like anxiety or depression, but if you notice your student’s homesickness starting to trigger symptoms of mental illness, encourage them to seek guidance from a mental health professional at IU’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
