<p>Do a lot of freshmen freak out being so far from home?
Are the RA's good about it?
How long does it take most people to get over it?
Sorry it's like a major worry for me at the moment, cause going to be ridiculously far away.... I feel so childish but I know I won't be the only one.... at least I hope I won't be, but hey you never know I may get there and be completely 100% fine too</p>
<p>Yes, you will get homesick. Get Skype. And get social.</p>
<p>I remember my first time getting homesick. My parents left for a week and I accidentally locked myself out of my house. It S-U-C-K-E-D.</p>
<p>I probably wouldn’t let the RA know about it just cause I’d be too embarrassed. I hear that random unprotected sex is a method lots of people use to fill the empty void in their heart, though it is not the most effective. </p>
<p>Honestly the homesickness does not really kick in till the first few months. You deal with it and get over it. I find that with homesickness its not so much about being away from parents as it is from being away from a stable and personal home.</p>
<p>Beeish,
In your case you will be far from familiar things. Relatives are fairly close in the valley. So many international students are in exactly the same situation with the added challenge of dealing with everyday life in another language. You are NOT alone. California students who may live 300 miles away from campus become homesick at times.
At SC there is your faith group, which will give you much comfort and many new friends. It is normal to be a bit homesick your first year. There is a counseling center on campus in addition to your RA. It is there for you.<br>
Beeish, your personality will draw people to you. I hope your new roommate will be a special friend. After move-in day there is time before classes start. It is set aside for new students to meet, HAVE FUN and participate in all sorts of activities to help you feel “at home”.
You have been traveling for some time now, going from place to place. I really feel this has made you more homesick than college will. Use the internet, photos, skype, IM, texting to keep in touch. That will help.
My guess is next year at this time you will be on this board assisting new enrollees and wondering why you were even concerned.</p>
<p>Does homesickness happen? Yes, undoubtedly. I had to deal with it, and I’m twenty minutes from home. As an RA, few people actually come to me saying they are homesick- instead, they fight with their roommate, or are feeling overwhelmed by campus. Some of the best solutions that I have found are getting involved and keeping busy. Make sure to attend several clubs in the first semester, so that you can figure out which ones will fit you best. Get involved with the building government of your hall- an instant way to make friends and get to know people. Skype is also great, especially if you have a new laptop with a video on top- it helps you stay connected with your family.</p>
<p>Usually homesickness is worst at two times- the first weekend after move in, before classes start, because there isn’t as much planned, and you haven’t started classes yet. The other time is around October, when midterms start and you are stressed. If you know that those times are coming up, and are worried that you will get homesick, plan something fun for yourself to enjoy, so that you have something to look forward to!</p>
<p>Whoa you are from sydney I totally didnt realize that, that sucks double for you. Ill be honest, Im a needy bratty child who will have trouble adjusting. Make sure you take it easy with courses first year.</p>
<p>beeish, to help my s with his homesickness, I made sure I emailed him regularly (in the beginning) and send him cards on special holidays and we have skype, of course. So perhaps you can ask your family to do similar things. And if you are not invited for Thanksgiving dinner at your friends’ house, then make sure you sign up for a Thanksgiving meal with a local family (available to International students).
Will your family be able to visit you? My s has asked us to visit him more often which we are not able to do =(</p>
<p>Beeish:</p>
<p>While I pm’d you I do want to state publicly what an open, mature young woman you are. Starting a new chapter is always tumultous. To acknowledge and cope with your doubts, fears, and questions is the most mature thing that I can imagine any young person doing. Whatever you choose, wherever you go in life those around you will be the better for knowing you. And you will cope with the world as its changes because you will be able to look the issues in the face and seek answers. </p>
<p>And, despite the fact that I know that you have at least two invitations for Thanksgiving…you know where we live and you’re invited here as well. (And the invitation stands for just dinner anytime…)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Ellebud</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for all your help/advice.
It really means a lot to me
I am actually feeling ALOT more confident at the moment about my choice in USC although I know that will waver ALOT inbetween now and August but that is to be expected I think.
and bmom I don’t know how often my family will be able to visit me. I know that my mom will come to LA as often as she can, cause she is actually from the US but it is hard from Australia cause tickets are quite expensive. I am planning on going home every year though at least once a year and am currently debating when to book my return ticket for (because I have to make the decision now) it’s basically up to missing the Rose Bowl (cause we will make it at least there) and going home for winter or hanging out until Summer break… hard decisions to make so early ahead. I do though have family about 30mins (if the 405 is in a good mood) drive from the USC campus, so it’s not like I am completley away from my family totally, which I think may help ALOT.</p>