Going Back to College Blues

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>For all of winter break, I've been pretty excited to go back to school, but now that the day has finally arrived, I've gotta admit, I'm suddenly homesick. I haven't left yet - I head back later tonight - but for some reason, I've been pretty glum about leaving home. </p>

<p>I was <em>really</em> homesick during the first 6 weeks of my first semester - it was so bad that I was considering commuting to school (I only live about 45 minutes away). I even went home for 4 days to sort everything out it was so bad. But, I got my act together and went back to school. I joined a club sports team, met a ton of good friends, and by the end of the semester - I was settled in. </p>

<p>I wanted to go home for break just to get away from the stress of finals (yuck). The first few weeks of break I enjoyed being home, then as my friends started trickling back to school, my parents went back to work, I got bored and lonely - so I wanted to go back to college. I met up with a few of my friends from my sports team at a tournament over the holidays and seeing them fueled my desire to go back.</p>

<p>But, now on the day I go back, I'm a little sad. It's a strange feeling because the only things I really miss are my parents, my dogs, and my own bedroom. But, I would never ever want to live at home and go to college (I like the freedom). I feel a little torn between my desire to go to school (It's weird because I have a ton of plans made for tonight, this week, and weekend) and my desire to stay at home. I also think back to the start of last semester and seriously hope that I never, ever get that depressed or homesick ever again (it was scary and miserable!). Also, last semester I would come home about once a month, just to see my family and take a break from school - but this semester my sports team is traveling nearly ever weekend from now to spring break! So, it's weird to know that I won't be able to come home until March. </p>

<p>I'm pretty sure that once I get back to school and into the swing of things that these feelings will seem silly. It's just hard making the transition from home to school. Any tips on how to make it better?</p>

2

<p>i completely understand what you mean! my first semester was pretty rough - lots of highs and lows, discovering who i really wanted to be friends with (which was difficult enough in itself without missing home too), and learning how to effectively balance developing friendships, school, and volunteering. my problem now might be completely different from yours, but old insecurities formed at the beginning of the school year are starting to come back to me. do they really like me? why don’t i have a group of friends yet? do i fit in here? etc, etc. small slights seem bigger and make these doubts surge once again. i try to dismiss them by telling myself that i am growing closer to friends (i am) and forming a group can take time and happen naturally, but despite this knowledge the fears make college somewhat less exciting. </p>

<p>i was looking forward to getting back until i actually had to say goodbye to my mom. we’re really close, and like you i won’t get to see her as much this semester (maybe once, more if i come home for spring break). unfortunately, as i’m having similar issues, i don’t have much comforting to tell you. i too have many plans for this week, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still miss home. i think it’s natural to miss everything home can represent and the people/animals it contains; it’s often the familiar and the comfortable instead of people we are still getting to know. </p>

<p>what you say about getting “into the swing of things” seems so true right now. once i’m so busy with school that i have to work to plan things with friends, hopefully these feelings will dissipate (both of missing home and struggling with my insecurities). sorry i couldn’t really offer anything substantial, but know you’re not alone.</p>

3

<p>You live 45 minutes away…Can’t you go home anytime you want? For dinner? For the weekend?</p>

4

<p>It is so hard to adjust when you’re going back and forth, it’s really not a good idea to go home very often if you’re having homesickness problems, it just makes it harder and more emotionally tumultuous.</p>