Whether it is your first time away from home or you have been at university for a long time, it is very usual to feel homesick. Even the most independent student may feel a little lost while adjusting to a new setting, juggling academic demands, and being apart from a parent/ family setting to your own is a huge jump. Nonetheless, below are some helpful tips and tricks to overcome homesickness and create a feeling of comfortableness in your unfamiliar environment. Finding little strategies to support your well-being may have a significant impact, from creating routines and participating on campus to trying to remain in touch with loved ones back home. Embrace this new chapter with an open mind and some self-care can help turn homesickness into an opportunity for personal growth and resilience.
Engage in Campus Activities
There are many organizations, groups, and events at TRU. Participating in extracurricular activities, such as a sports team, or academic organization allows you to make new friends and feel a part of the TRU community.
Utilize Campus Facilities
TRU offers Wolfpack Recreation, with a variety of gym/fitness classes students can do for free. Spacious study lounges may be good places to create routines, relieve stress, and connect with other students who share your interests. A wonderful way to decompress is to take in the breathtaking views from the Old Main building or the TRU lookout located by North Tower!
Discover Kamloops
TRU’s location in Kamloops, surrounded by stunning nature, is one of its advantages. Hiking, exploring the riverbank, or visiting a nearby cafe may all help to make the place feel familiar and prevent homesickness.
Maintain Contact with Friends and Family
Arrange frequent phone conversations or video calls to maintain contact with loved ones. Try to develop a schedule that allows you to stay connected without interfering with campus life.
Visit the Wellness Center
TRU’s Wellness Center offers students a range of services, such as mental health resources and counselling. Workshops on stress management, acclimating to university life, and overcoming homesickness are frequently held by them.
Locate a Study Group
Create a study group in your class, you can make new connections, know a friendly face on campus outside of class, and get academic success through it.
Make a Piece of Home
Making a “home base” in your apartment or dorm, whether it is having a comfort meal or adorning your space with pictures and mementos of your loved ones, might make the move easier.
Take Breaks and Indulge Yourself
It is acceptable to miss home and to indulge in pleasures that bring back memories of it. These small gestures may have a significant impact, whether it is creating a dish that brings back memories of home, watching a beloved show, or locating a bakery in Kamloops.
Talking to a Professional
Look into the free counselling services available for TRU students, this might be the right thing for you.
Written by Future Student Ambassador, Karolina Rogowicz (2024).
