What to do when you feel homesick

There are lots of reasons you might feel homesick at university. Some of the most common include:

• adjusting to cultural differences (especially if you're studying abroad)
• being away from your usual routines and comforts.
• feeling isolated in a new environment
• missing your family and friends
• struggling with coursework or academic pressure.

In fact, a survey by the National Union of Students found that 70% of students experience homesickness at some point during their university journey.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to start feeling at home in your new surroundings. With time, support, and a few practical strategies, you can even make this transition enjoyable.

Recognise that homesickness is normal

A survey by student accommodation provider Yugo found that 61% of UK students aged 19 to 25 were worried about feeling homesick when they moved to university. But it's important to acknowledge that these emotions are natural when you go through big life changes - they're your mind's way of responding to being away from familiar people, places, and routines.

'It's always hard at first being away from familiar faces and the comfort of home. It feels different and overwhelming,' says Amit Pawar, an international student from India who recently completed his Masters in management at the University of Reading.

Homesickness is more than just 'missing home'. According to Michou Burckett St Laurent, head of the Student Wellbeing Partnership Service and Josie Harbison, clinical lead at Lancaster University, it can affect how you feel, think, and behave.

Common signs include:

• changes in academic engagement or attendance patterns
• changes in eating habits
• difficulty sleeping
• feeling isolated, disconnected or withdrawing socially
• feeling tearful and overwhelmed
• increased time spent alone in your room or frequently going home
• physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues related to stress
• struggling to establish routines or manage stress and worry.

Recognising these feelings is the first step to managing them. When you accept homesickness as a natural part of adjusting to university life, you can start finding healthy ways to cope - and connect with others who are feeling the same way.

Stay connected with loved ones

Keeping in touch with the people you care about can really help to combat feelings of homesickness. Try scheduling regular video calls, sending messages, or sharing little updates about your university life. Staying connected gives you comfort and reassurance - it helps bridge the gap between home and your new world.

You might notice homesickness feels more intense after holidays like Christmas, Easter, or summer, when you've spent time at home. For most students, these feelings fade within a few weeks as you settle back into your routine.

Remember to find a balance. 'Stay connected with home but also limit it enough to invest in your new environment' advise Josie and Michou. Giving yourself space to explore your new surroundings, meet people, and create new routines is a huge part of feeling more at home.

Create a comfortable living space

Your surroundings can have a big impact on your mood and sense of security, especially when you're settling into university. 'We recommend bringing or buying items to make your bedroom more homely' explains Sue Bonard, student welfare adviser at the University of Reading.

Add touches that make your space feel comfortable and personal, like:

• a picture of your hometown, a small flag, or a souvenir
• childhood keepsakes like a small toy, keychain, or memento from home
• photos of family and friends.

These familiar details can bring comfort and make your new space feel more you.

Think about using sensory comforts too. A familiar scent - like a favorite essential oil, room spray, or scented sachet - can make your room feel instantly cosy and welcoming. Soft textures, such as a blanket, pillow, or throw can add warmth, while a playlist that reminds you of home can create a soothing atmosphere.

When your living space feels calm and personal, it becomes a place where you can relax, recharge, and feel grounded. Over time, this will help you feel more settled and at home in your new environment.

Explore our essential guide on what to take to university.

Embrace new experiences

It may not feel like home just yet, but the more you explore your new surroundings, the more you'll begin to form connections with your university city - connections that can help ease feelings of homesickness.

'It took me around a month to feel settled - to get to know the city, understand how things work, and start enjoying the new vibe,' says Amit.

Try to make the most of your new surroundings by:

• checking out cultural events
• sampling local food spots
• wandering through your new city or town.

'Try to do things that will help you to connect with others, like attending 'welcome week' or joining student clubs and societies. It may feel scary at first, but it will help,' say Michou and Josie. Taking part not only helps you make friends but also builds a stronger sense of belonging.

If you're an international student, you might find comfort in joining cultural or international societies. Connecting with people who share your background can provide familiarity, tackle feelings of imposter syndrome, and help to build a sense of community while you adjust to life at university.

'I feel most homesick during festivals like Diwali and Ganpati, or when there's a family wedding back home and everyone is celebrating together except me' shares Amit. 'But taking part in local events and making new friends helps fill that gap.'

Discover the importance of extra-curricular activities.

Seek support when needed

Sometimes, homesickness can feel overwhelming or start to affect your day-to-day life - and that's okay. You don't have to deal with it alone.

'Most students find homesickness eases significantly within the first few weeks or months, and the university's student support and wellbeing services are ready to help, every step of the way,' explain Josie and Michou.

If you're not sure where to start with accessing help, 'academic tutors can signpost or refer student to the welfare team, counselling service, or mentors' Sue explains. 'The halls team - both wardens and mentors - play a key role in welcoming students and supporting anyone finding it hard to integrate.'

Your university's wellbeing services can also support you with:

• combatting stress
• establishing routines
• managing your time
• structuring regular check-ins, especially during the first few weeks.

These services are designed to help you talk things through, discover effective coping strategies, and feel more confident as you settle into university life.

You'll also find support through options like peer mentoring programmes, which give you the chance to connect with other students who can normalise your experiences and offer reassurance. Talking to someone who understands what you're going through can make a real difference. After all, with 40,000 searches for homesickness-related terms online each year - you're far from alone.

If you need extra support beyond the university, you can reach out to:

• Nightline - provides anonymous, confidential listening and information services run by students, for students.
• Your GP or a mental health professional - if homesickness is seriously affecting your wellbeing, seeking professional guidance is an important step toward feeling better.

'Please know that you're not alone in how you're feeling. Homesickness is a hard but normal part of the transition to university, and is a sign of positive relationships, not a weakness,' explain Michou and Josie.

Practice self-care

Taking care of your physical and mental health is one of the best ways to manage homesickness and adjust to university life. Start with the basics, make sure you're:

• eating balanced meals
• getting enough sleep
• staying active.

Try mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques to manage stress and anxiety. Many universities run workshops or offer online resources about self-care and stress management. Apps like Calm and Headspace are great tools for guided mindfulness sessions you can do anytime.

When everything around you feels new and unpredictable, having structure can make a big difference. Stick to regular sleep, meal, and study routines to create a sense of stability and control. 'Be patient with yourself and celebrate small wins,' add Michou and Josie.

It can be tempting to withdraw, skip lectures and seminars, or rely on alcohol to cope in social situations, but these habits usually make homesickness worse in the long run. Instead, try reaching out, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Be patient with yourself

'Give yourself time - settling in is a process, not an instant switch,' explain Josie and Michou. Try to be kind and patient with yourself as you settle in.

Remind yourself that it's okay to feel this way. As you start building new routines, meeting people, and getting into the flow of campus life, those feelings will gradually fade.

Even though homesickness can be tough, it can also lead to personal growth. Working through it helps you build resilience, independence, and confidence.

Many students later realise that overcoming homesickness is just one of many life skills you learn at university, making them better prepared to handle new challenges in the future. 'This is just a phase that will make you stronger,' agrees Amit.

Find out more

• Discover how to make the most of university life.
• For further mental health support, visit StudentMinds.