Transitioning

Adjusting to college life can be exciting but sometimes stressful. If you are feeling homesick, please know this is a common feeling for many college students - you are not alone. Feeling a bit down is normal, especially for the first few weeks of being away from home. It is okay to allow yourself to feel sad once in a while. Modest changes in behavior (sleeping, eating, exercise levels, etc.) are also normal while you are adjusting to college life.

Strategies for Success

• Keep busy—get involved! If you are busy, you won’t have time to feel homesick.
• Get out of your room. Spend time where other students congregate. If you are shy and worried about joining a group, be the first one there and others will join you (for example, go sit in the lobby, and eventually others will sit there as well and talk to you).
• Form or join a study group with others that have the same class.
• Be sure you are getting the right amount of sleep (not too much or too little), eat healthy, and get regular exercise.
• Reminiscing about old times and talking to old friends, family members, as well as visiting home (if possible) once in a while is a common method of coping for many students.
• If it is fairly easy for you to get home, gradually taper off the frequency of your visits home. Stay on campus and take the opportunity to get to know other students.
• Talk to your peer advisor, community assistant or peer ambassador when you are feeling extra lonely or sad. They are here for you! 

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to contact the ASU Counseling Centers. Listed below are indicators that you may want to discuss with a member of the counseling staff.

• Your homesickness is intense and doesn’t seem to be going away.
• You find yourself obsessing over old times and have more contact with old friends and family members than you do with people at the university.
• You are experiencing extreme changes in behavior.
• You are skipping classes on a regular basis and/or have lost motivation to do well in school.