Dealing with Homesickness

However ready you felt to leave home, homesickness can catch you off guard at university. It might arrive in the first week, or months later once the novelty has worn off.

This is very common, and it often eases with time and support. Missing familiar people, places, food or routines is a normal reaction to a big change. You can miss home while gradually becoming more comfortable at university.

Acknowledge how you feel

You do not have to pretend you are fine. Acknowledging that you miss home may help you work out what support you need. It can help to notice what you miss most: particular people, perhaps, or privacy, familiar food or a sense of security.

Plenty of other students feel the same, even if they keep quiet about it. Talking honestly with a flatmate or coursemate can be a relief for both of you.

Stay connected in a way that suits you

A regular call, video chat or group message with people at home can be a real comfort. There is no right amount of contact. Notice whether it leaves you feeling supported or makes it harder to engage with university life, and adjust the balance if needed.

If visits are possible, inviting family or friends to see where you live helps them understand your new surroundings.

Not everyone has a home they can return to or family they want to contact. If you are estranged, bereaved, care-experienced, an international student or unable to afford travel, keeping in touch with other trusted people can matter just as much.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Build a routine and make connections

Activity and routine can help, though filling every spare hour can become exhausting. Small, manageable steps count.

• Look at societies and sports clubs through your students' union, and check for taster sessions or chances to join later in the year.
• Accept invitations when you feel comfortable, even small ones like a coffee.
• Look for free or low-cost activities and quieter alternatives to large social events.
• Find a café, park, library or place of worship nearby that feels like yours.
• Set a simple routine for meals, sleep and study.
• Consider volunteering or a part-time job, if it fits around your study, health and any visa restrictions.

Familiar touches, such as photos or a meal you grew up with, can be comforting. Eating reasonably well, sleeping enough, staying active and not relying on alcohol to cope will usually make difficult feelings easier to handle.

Sometimes homesickness is tied to a practical problem, such as accommodation trouble, money worries, bullying, discrimination or difficulties with your course. These may need practical help rather than more social activity, so raise them with your university or students' union.

Getting extra support

Homesickness has no fixed timetable, and it can return after holidays or other changes. You do not need to wait for a crisis. If your feelings are hard to manage, or affect your sleep, appetite, attendance or daily life, talk to someone. Persistent low mood or anxiety may need attention in its own right, rather than being put down to missing home.

Your university's wellbeing or counselling service, your personal tutor or your students' union advice centre are good places to start, though availability and waiting times vary. Other sources of help include:

• Your GP: you can go directly, so register with a local practice soon after you arrive.
• Nightline: a confidential listening service run by students. Check whether your university has one and when it is open.
• Student Minds: the student mental health charity behind Student Space. Check its website for the support currently available.
• Samaritans: free to call on 116 123, day or night.
• Shout: a free, confidential text service. Text SHOUT to 85258.
• Urgent mental health support: check the NHS service for the UK nation you are studying in. In Northern Ireland, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
• 999: call if your life or someone else's is at immediate risk.

Asking for help is not a sign that university is wrong for you. Support can help you manage homesickness and any other difficulties you are facing. It can also help you think through changes to your accommodation, course or study arrangements, and making those changes is not a failure.