You’d think most college students would be thrilled to get out from under the watchful eye of mom and dad and enjoy their freedom.
Who wouldn’t love to have the rule of the roost of their Athens Ohio apartment? The world is finally your own. And there’s so many new people to meet, exciting experiences to have. College should be one of the best times of your life! You’re discovering new worlds, having new experiences, living your best years.
Except when you aren’t. You may be free, but this new world can sometimes be a scary place. It’s so much different than where you grew up. If you’re feeling homesick, you’re not alone. In fact, 69 percent of first year college students report feeling homesick, according to a survey by the UCLA Higher Education Institute. It’s easy to find yourself stuck in your Ohio University student rental, depressed and wishing you were back in your hometown.
The main thing for students – and parents – to remember is that this feeling usually passes. It’s probably tempting to unload on the parents – and hey, that’s what they’re there for. Here’s hoping they hear you out but do not offer to fly you home for a weekend or for good. The experts agree it’s best if you tough it out till the mood passes and you adjust.
We can’t say enough about becoming familiar with the unfamiliar. The more engaged you become with your new setting, the more you will let go of your attachment to home. Get out and do things – don’t just vegetate in your Athens Ohio student rentals. Forget looking at your old friends on social media who are crowing about how great life is wherever they are: that will just make you more depressed.
For now, get out of your room and meet people.
