Graphic by Haley Smith
You’ve moved into your dorm room or your apartment, you’ve walked your class schedule and feel like you (sort of) know your way around campus. You know your roommate, you’ve met a few people in class, but you start to miss home. Your mom sends you pictures of your dog each morning, and you feel like maybe you shouldn’t have left home.
Moving away from home for the first time can be challenging, and getting settled into a new routine often feels lonely. Whether you’ve been coming to Manhattan since you can remember or this is only your second time in town, there are plenty of things to do to keep you present and avoid the tug of homesickness.
One of the best things to do at the beginning of the semester is to figure out your routine. Know when you plan to eat, when you plan to do your homework and even when you are going to do your nightly self-care. This will help you determine when you have free time to go to clubs or hang out with new friends.
A common saying is, “if you can’t be at home, bring a little bit of home with you.” Setting aside time in your week to call your family is a great way to stay connected to what’s happening at home. Grandparents love to receive calls from their grandkids and hear about their lives at college. Bonus points if your grandparents are K-State graduates.
Sometimes what sounds the most appealing when you’re feeling down is to do something calm and let yourself feel all the feelings. Making jewelry is a great way to press pause on the hustle of the day and spend time getting creative. This can also be a great way to pass the time with a friend or two between classes. Turn some music or your comfort TV show on, get into comfy clothes and break out the beads and embroidery thread!
Need something to get you out of your dorm and do something that you couldn’t do on your own? Union Program Council has you covered! They are always planning fun events, usually on Fridays, to give students the opportunity to try new things and have fun in a safe environment. One of their most popular events is their Harry Potter Night at Hale Library. They go all out to turn the Great Room into Hogwarts, complete with a sorting hat, games for each house and snacks to really transport you to the land of Harry Potter.
As the dog days of summer fade to the fair and breezy days of fall, there is no better time to reset your health routine. The Chester E. Peters Recreation Complex is a great resource for everyone, whether you have your routine down and know what works for you, or you’re starting from the ground up. A favorite among students is attending group fitness classes with friends. Classes are taught by either undergraduate or master’s students, ensuring common ground and understanding between the teachers and students. The class schedule can be found in the second or third week of class on the Rec Center’s website or on their social media pages.
Feeling homesick isn’t a sign of failure to adapt; instead, it is a mark of growth and healthy change. All of us miss our families, and this is a feeling that is much more common than you may imagine. Comfort can often be found in being honest with your friends and seeking support and encouragement from those around you.
As Winnie the Pooh has been telling us since our childhood, “How blessed are we who have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”