Tips for coping with homesickness

Wherever you're from, and no matter the stage you're at in your Warwick journey, homesickness can strike - that’s normal ! Moving from the place you call home to an unfamiliar area is a huge leap, and adapting to this new lifestyle can take time. On my part, even though I am now well-integrated into Warwick and call campus my second home, I still occasionally feel homesick for instance. Without further transition, here are my top tips to cope with this feeling :

Keep in touch with loved ones

If you’re missing family or friends from back home, the best way to cope is to give them a quick call or text to let them know your feelings. Chances are they probably miss you too, and will be glad to receive news from you. Regular contact is the best way to prevent homesickness - try scheduling weekly catch-up calls or Zoom meetings with loved ones to keep each other updated.

Don’t isolate yourself

By no means does homesickness make you less of a grownup, so don’t hide away. I find that one of the best ways to get rid of the sullen mood is hanging out with friends : not only can they relate with this feeling, but they’ll likely lift up your mood and remind you of the reason why you are here - to have a good time !

Another great way to cope is to connect with peers from the same country : I personally find speaking in my home language with fellow compatriots very reminiscent of home. With Warwick university gathering over fifty cultural societies that organise regular events throughout the academic year, there is no more reason for you to shy away in your dorm.

Find familiarity

When going home isn’t an option, try finding a sense of home in your everyday life : practice an activity you would usually do at home, cook a heartwarming meal from your hometown, get your hands on a childhood sweet treat, watch a movie carrying special memories…there is plenty to do! Some of my go-to coping activities include reading a book written in my native language, going for a swim at the Sports Center or baking childhood pastries for instance.

Go home if you can

The best remedy is of course to go back home if you’re lucky enough to live close by. For the less fortunate, an alternative I’ve found surprisingly effective is traveling : whenever I felt homesick in the past, I would organise a day trip to London to unwind and explore the city. Although it is not quite like my hometown, I’ve found a sense of familiarity in some of London’s neighbourhoods that I now regularly visit to cheer myself up. I therefore encourage you to find your secret place reminiscing of home, whether on or off-campus.

 

This concludes my top tips to tackle homesickness. In essence, the best cure is to acknowledge your feelings and stay in action, no matter how tempting staying in your room with a sad song playlist may be. On a final note, please know support is available at Warwick to help you cope with your feelings, such as Student Counselling which offers a range of workshops and individual counselling.