<p>Give yourself time. Very few people adjust automatically to change, and everyone experiences at least a twinge of homesickness or culture shock at first. College is very different from high school, and you will get used to the good and bad. It’s hard to be on your own, but it’s great to develop independence! It’s tough to be far from your girlfriend, but it’s great to meet people from lots of different places vs. high school where everyone was from your area. You will find that over the course of this year, you change more than at any other time in your life. Everything might seem a bit overwhelming, but you are in a safe environment, with plenty of professionals around at your school who can help you adjust to all the changes. Ask for help if you think you need it, academically or personally. Skype with your girlfriend, every night if that’s what you want. But, also be sure that you reach out to new friends too - don’t always be referring to home - get involved in a club or group on campus and you will find yourself busier and busier with your new life. Right now you probably still have a lot of down time to think about home. That will change, if you get involved and take people up on invitations if you are asked to join in something fun. I would give it a full year. First semester can be bumpy, but second semester is usually so much better! It would be a shame if you quit just as things were going to get better and you were more comfortable in your environment. If you are around other people who are all homesick and talking about it, it’s bound to get you down. Try to meet some upperclassmen who can tell you how great your school is, tell you about great classes, etc., and let you know why they came back! I don’t think a bunch of homesick freshmen all together in a dorm do anything but cause each other to transfer out! My D quickly got involved in clubs that included upper classmen, and that made her feel much better about her choice of college. Some other freshmen who just stuck together on her dorm floor ended up leaving and going back home after just 2 or 3 weeks.
If you are just a freshman, no wonder you are unsure about your major. That is why so many schools don’t even ask you to declare until the end of sophomore year. This is a time to explore a few different areas. My D went in thinking PoliSci, and is now changing to Recreation Management! Don’t worry about your major right now. Just take gen. eds, and acclimate yourself. Good luck! Call home often, too. Your parents will appreciate that you miss them! Then, when you don’t miss them so much, they will be ok with that too!</p>