How to Deal with Homesickness

Aug 17, 2022 • Victoria V.

If you’re dealing with an extreme case of homesickness, then you’re not alone. As a freshman, I was homesick for a good two months and missed my family every day. It hurt so much in the moment, but it healed with time. There are tips and tricks to adjusting to your new life far away from your hometown, family, and friends. Though every person has their own coping mechanisms, these are universal acknowledgements on how to deal with missing home.

1) Do not travel home for at least two weeks
This tip really only applies to those who have the ability to travel home often like if you live in the same state or have the willpower to drive through the night back to your hometown, but it’s worth noting. Try not to go home for at least two full weeks. Your new life is at college, so you eventually have to adjust to the new atmosphere, people, and community around you without the safety net of home. College is a time of growth and you will do serious growing in the first few weeks, so take advantage of that. Become used to being away from your family and confident you can make it through without seeing them in person. The 21st century is amazing in the fact that we can still be connected through FaceTime, Zoom, or texting; so even if you are away in the transition to college, you can still be connected to your hometown.

2) Use this opportunity to lean on God
God is always with us and wants us to depend solely on him, so what better way to grow closer to Him than being away from the life you normally know? In the times of feeling anxious or missing home so much it aches, pray to God to bring you peace. Being homesick will be different for each person and will be felt at varying levels, but God helps any of these levels no matter how big or small. I am not saying that after one prayer that all of your homesickness will be cured. It takes obedience and discipline to pray and give it all to God, so He can take your burden away. Nothing is too small or big to ask God for help, so even if being homesick seems unimportant to ask God for help, pray to Him anyway because He cares.

3) Get connected on your hall or in the community

You may be away from your family for the first time in your life, but your hall is there to help you. When I was really homesick my first few months at Liberty, I stayed in my room because I was sad. Do not be like me! I wish I would have gotten connected on my hall and met more girls to hang out with because I know it would have helped me so much. Your hall can and will become your new family who will support you and be there for you in highs and lows. Surround yourself with a godly community of guys and girls to uplift you in your new life as a Liberty college student.
Being away from your family can be scary and intimidating, but everyone adjusts in time. You will see your family and hometown favorites soon! But for now, take joy in the new environment you are blessed to live in at Liberty University. Lynchburg will become your home, and it is a pretty great place to be.