Most college students will experience homesickness at some point during their college experience.  For many students, this will occur in the first few weeks of classes.  Some students experience homesickness later in the year as the excitement and activity level of the first few weeks diminishes.  It is even possible to experience homesickness after your first year at school too!

Homesickness can mix parts of feeling anxious about your new surroundings with feelings of depression or anxiety at being away from loved ones.  Don’t be surprised if you experience homesickness coming to school even though you never experienced it in previous situations leaving home.

Students experiencing homesickness will often report symptoms of depression or anxiety.  You might also feel:

• Anxiety about being away from home
• Constantly thinking about home or wondering how people back home are doing
• Isolated and lonely
• Feeling that others are enjoying college but that you cannot
• Disinterest in making new friends at school

Homesickness is different from depression or anxiety in one important way.  Unlike depression or anxiety, feelings of homesickness will decrease when you spend time at home.  Certain factors can influence your feelings of homesickness.  Some factors include the distance between your home and school and also how similar the region around your school is to the area surrounding your home on such issues as size or cultural issues. 

If you live close enough to go home it may be helpful to plan a trip back.  Knowing that you have a trip home coming up can help reduce feelings of homesickness.  It is important to remember however, that every day that you spend away from UNH may provide some temporary relief from feeling homesick, but may also make it difficult to readjust when you return to UNH.  So when thinking about visiting home, carefully weigh this balance for yourself.

Homesickness partially revolves around feeling uncomfortable in a new environment.  It may be helpful to get out and explore the UNH campus and the NH seacoast beyond the Dover/Durham community.  Find the hiking trails around you or maybe explore the beaches.  The more familiar you are with your surroundings, the less homesick you will feel.  

Perhaps the most effective way to decrease your feelings of homesickness is to increase the connections that you have on campus.  This can occur through meeting new people or finding some activity that you enjoy.  The student organizations list provided at www.unhmub.com/sos keeps a detailed listing of the many campus groups that meet.

Many other students will experience very similar feelings to you.  It is helpful to admit that you are feeling homesick and to reach out to other students.  As intimidating as it may feel, you can be amazed at the connections you can make just talking to the person beside you in class or at the Commons.

Most importantly, remember that it takes time to become comfortable in a new place.  Give it time.  Find ways to relax as well.  As always, stay healthy by getting enough sleep, eating well, and being physically active.  If the feelings of homesickness continue to persist or begin to interfere with your academic work or relationships then you may want to make an appointment to talk with a counselor at the Counseling Center (862-2090).