Hi! There’s lots of threads similar to this one and reading them has helped me feel better. I wanted to just type up my own too because I am seeking some support.
I’m a first semester sophomore going to college pretty far from home and I really want nothing more than to go home and be with my family. I struggled with feeling homesick last year but I am surprised to still be feeling this way this year now that I have a group of friends. It’s tough because I don’t think I want to be going to school anywhere else and I don’t want to transfer, but college isn’t rainbows and butterflies all the time. I also feel bad because my family is so generous to help me out financially with college but my classes are hard and the college environment is stressful both academically and socially.
The upside is that I am going home a week from today. I’m debating staying home until January. This semester has been rough for me mental health wise and I’m seeking professional help, and I think that being home will help me reset and relax. Many of my friends are either staying at school for Thanksgiving or are coming back between Thanksgiving and finals (this is possible because most people at my school live off campus, not in dorms). I feel like I’ll get FOMO if I stay home for two months, or I’ll get bored at home really fast. But at the same time, the thought of staying home for two months sounds relaxing. Maybe being a little bored is a good thing right now. Besides, even if I miss out on a few weeks of hangouts with friends, it’s not like I’m missing much: it’s only a few weeks and also because of COVID not much is happening anyway. I also don’t necessarily have to decide right now if I’m going to come back, but the decision is stressing me out a little.
Anyways, I feel like I’m going through some kind of sophomore slump. I remember sophomore year of high school was probably the hardest year of high school for me. I still like college but it is rough sometimes and I wish it wasn’t. Writing this out helped though! I would appreciate any insight, advice, or anecdotes anyone has to share…
Hi, I just wanted to say that I thought most schools were online between Thanksgiving and the start of spring semester. Either way, reading your post, that seems like a good choice for you.
I just think this is a really hard year for so many students (and adults and non-students alike)–I’m not sure there are many that are loving this year. So I’d take it easy, have a long winter break, and put your mental health first. I would expect you will feel better when the pandemic starts so subside.
It’s a hard year for everyone. Be kind to yourself and enjoy going home. If you feel homesick right now, it’s normal and luckily you have the option to return. Most colleges going remote after TG.
I’m a freshman at my “dream school”. everything is great, food, campus and classes, but COVID has me a little homesick too. The school is doing everything possible to make things good but It’s the personal connections. Humans have a hard time being 6 feet apart with masks on every single day.
I’m happy I am on campus and wouldn’t change my decision. i grew up a lot and became more self sufficient. It will make us stronger students and more appreciative when things get back to “normal”.
Taking 18 credits in my first semester was a great help in keeping busy during restrictions. I plan on doing the same in the spring.
good luck and enjoy you time at home.
Thank you both for your thoughtful responses-
I’m glad I came back because I got to make some good memories with friends here at school. I also have enjoyed the independence of college and the change of pace. Because we’ve been in a pandemic for so long it’s easy to forget that life wasn’t always this way and things will get better!
@spinmaster, yes, agree things can only get better from here, but it is definitely challenging in the meantime. The other option is to take a semester or year off… nothing at all wrong with that. Just know you have options, there is no urgency to finish in 4 years. (I did not finish in 4 years, and I quickly moved past peers in my career, so it really is fine.)
Things will definitely get better! Enjoy being at home, and enjoy the holidays. Spring will be a nice fresh start.