I have just finished up the first year at university, have thoroughly enjoyed my time being at home (I go to a very far out of state school so I go months without seeing my family. Time with my parents and family is valued beyond measure) and am looking at returning to university in the fall.
I was extremely homesick last year due to being so far away from home, and no matter how I tried I could not make friends, only people I felt were acquaintances. I watched my sorority roommate go out with many friends night after night (never inviting me) and participate in so many clubs, really having the entire “college experience”, while my significantly tougher classes and workload combined with my lack of friendships kept me penned up indoors working late into the night. Compounding this academic stress was the feeling of overwhelming homesickness leading me to feel so lonely that it verged on a sense of complete isolation. Sso it is needless to say that coming home for the summer has been euphoria.
I know that in this next year, I will be battling homesickness and academic stress again. What frightens me more than that are all of the tales I’ve heard of college sophomores never returning home for summer break after finding internships and the like. I’m torn because I know that internships and work study etc are valuable experiences, but the thought of not being able to spend at least the summer with my family is devastating and absolutely terrifying.
Do college sophomores always get wrapped up in engagements during the summer, never to return home again? Do you know anyone with similar homesickness issues as what I went through? Thanks so much everyone, I apprecate it loads!
Both son’s came home for the summer since they had summer jobs lined up at home. Many of their friends also returned home and had summer internships set up nearby, so they could spend time with their families.
I teach high school, and every spring we have masses of graduates stopping by to say hello. When I ask what they’re doing for the summer, ALL are home to stay for the summer-- working somewhere locally.
Don’t believe all you read. Lots and Lots and Lots of 19 year olds are still home every summer with their families. So are lots and lots and lots of 20 and 21 year olds.
You don’t turn 18 and get kicked out of the nest, relegated to the occasional visit back home.
Many students do come home for every summer between college years. Do what works best for you and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. While you are home I would talk to your parents about your homesickness and see if you can find a way to help with it for the upcoming year – perhaps regular visits home or having your parents come to visit you at school on a regular schedule.
We live in the midwest, my older sister went to college on the east coast, and she worked in a lab for about 2/3 of the summer and came home for the last third every year, so it’s definitely possible to do both! I’m also planning on doing this after I enter college this fall.
Though seriously, do what makes you happy and less stressed. It sounds like you’ve worked hard this year, and you deserve some rest. I’d say it’s better to come into a new year and new opportunities being refreshed rather than exhausted.
