Hey y’all!
I hope everyone’s week has been going well! Today I wanted to talk about something almost every college student deals with at some point, even if they don’t admit it: homesickness. Whether you’re only an hour away or you flew across the country for school, that first semester hits hard. Suddenly the comfort of your own bed, your pets, and your mom’s cooking feels very far away.
So here are a few things that helped me get through those moments without dramatically crying in the shower like I’m in a movie scene.
1. Create a “Home Base” in Your Dorm
Your dorm will feel lonely if it looks like a temporary hotel room. Decorating makes a bigger difference than you’d think. Add photos, hang lights, get a cozy blanket, or keep your favorite snack stocked. Little familiar things make your space feel safer and more “you.”
Pro Tip: make your bed comfy.
2. Call Family (But Not Too Often)
Talking to people from home helps but calling every single time you feel sad can make the feeling worse. Find a balance. Schedule one or two calls a week so you can update everyone, get reassurance, and hear your dog bark in the background. But also give yourself room to adjust to your new environment without running back emotionally every five minutes.
3. Get Out of Your Dorm (Seriously)
Homesickness gets worse when you sit alone in a small room staring at the door. Go do something—even if it’s small.
Go study in the library, grab food with a friend, join a club meeting, or take a walk. Movement helps your brain switch out of sad mode.
This is actually how I met a lot of my friends, just by saying yes to little things.
4. Build New Routines
One huge reason why home feels like “home” is because of routine—your favorite breakfast, a certain TV show at night, the same route to school, etc.
Try building new routines on campus. Maybe it’s grabbing a morning coffee, going to the gym at a certain time, or studying in the same spot. Routines help your brain feel grounded, and that’s something homesickness really tries to steal.
5. Give Yourself Grace
Homesickness is NORMAL. Like, painfully normal. You’re not weak. You’re not dramatic. You’re not “failing” at college because you miss home.
You’re human.
This is a huge transition, and emotions don’t care how old you are.
If you need to cry a little? Cry! It doesn’t have to be in the shower, those tears are allowed anywhere.
6. Remember Why You’re Here
When homesickness flares up, focus on your goals. The degree you’re chasing, the dream job, the future you want. This is just the uncomfortable middle part between who you were and who you’re becoming.
Home will always be there. But right now, you’re building a version of yourself that your future self will be proud of.
Homesickness doesn’t last forever, even if it feels like it does in the moment. One day you’ll wake up and realize campus finally feels familiar. That’s when you know you’re growing.
Until next time,
Olivia Strickland ✈️
How to Handle Homesickness Without Crying in the Shower
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