Feeling lonely or homesick
Many people at some point during their lives experience homesickness. Leaving home and coming to University is a common time when homesickness strikes. Even those who never expected to be hit by it can suddenly find themselves missing home or some aspect of it. Some of the signs of homesickness include:-
- feel low in mood or more anxious than usual
- some people develop obsessive thoughts / worries
- sometimes people experience symptoms of physical ill health
- feel alone, disorientated and / or lost
- want to stay in your room / bed
- feel swamped, frightened and want to run away or not join in
Sometimes these signs can develop even before coming to University. Other people find they feel homesick immediately upon moving to University. Others find that they are fine to begin with, but then discover feelings of loss and / or homesickness later in the academic year. It is entirely reasonable for people to feel homesick. Indeed, it is an understandable response to a very significant life change.
There are many things you can do to help yourself overcome these feelings. Read our self-help leaflet about homesickness.
Coming to University, surrounded by people with whom you supposedly have a lot in common, you can nevertheless feel very isolated and awkward. Sometimes those feelings are only made worse when you look around and it seems like everyone else is having a great time, have made lots of friends and feel at home, while you feel excluded and on the margin of everything.
For help in dealing with loneliness, you can read our self-help leaflet. Also you can get in touch with Student Services where our professional staff will listen non-judgementally and offer help and advice if needed. All enquiries to Student Services are treated confidentially.
You can drop by to Student Services at the ASC(Advice & Support Centre).
The following E-books may be useful:--
Coping : the psychology of what works
How to be your own therapist: a step-by-step guide to building a competent, confident life