Feeling homesick while at uni is so common

Homesickness affects so many students, especially those who have moved to a new city and are living away from their home comforts. When you've no longer got the familiarity of your home, friends and family it can be unsettling for a short period of time and this is totally ok. Rest assured that you're not alone and there ways to cope with these feelings, especially as they are usually very temporary...

What to do if you start to feel homesick

When those feelings of homesickness creep in, it can be tempting to close yourself off, book a train to go home or spend more time in your room. However, this can make things worse in the long run.  The first step to tackling homesickness is acknowledging that this is what you're feeling.

Although you don't always feel up to socialising and getting out there, one of the best ways to tackle homesickness is to keep busy and get stuck into as much as possible.  You never quite know who you might get chatting to and the chances are, others will be experiencing similar things to you. Plus, having plans to go to will help you establish a routine.

Try something new

At University there are so many new hobbies, clubs, sports and societies that you can try out and these are often the best way to meet likeminded people who share the same interests. Check out Daisy's blog on living in Halls, her experience and advice on making the most of your opportunities. On the flip side, if you need a night off from socialising, trust your gut and know that that's ok too! Sometimes we need to have a night away to charge our batteries.

Take a look on the Guild’s website or Sport Liverpool to see what clubs, societies, activities and events you can get stuck into. Societies and clubs are always welcoming of new members and you don’t need to worry about going alone as you’ll get to meet lots of new people when you join. Your Hall's Student Committee's always welcome new members, at any time of the year. If you're interested in joining, get in touch hsc@liverpool.ac.uk. 

Don't spend too much time inside

Getting out and about isn’t only important when socialising but when studying too. Try to mix up your study space and not stay in your room alone too much as this can be isolating. There are lots of places to study on campus and even in your Halls. On campus you have the libraries and so many cafés. In Halls you’ll have a dedicated study room or area but if you’re unsure, just ask your reception. 

Head to our Exploring Liverpool page for suggestions on where to go out in the city. Spending time in nature can have positive effects on our wellbeing so why not start with our green spaces in the city article?

Bring a bit of home into your bedroom

Another way to help settle feelings of homesickness is by making your new living space as comfortable as possible. It can be comforting to have some photos of friends and family and maybe some decorations from your room at home. Don’t worry if you didn’t bring anything as you won’t be short of shops to buy new decorations for your room in Liverpool. Check out our top tips on how to make your room feel homely.

Support

If you find that feeling homesick impacts on your studies, social or personal life and become difficult to manage, just know that support is available to you. Reach out and let someone know, they will be able to help.

Your Residential Advisers offer support and guidance for students in Halls. RAs also offer an on-call emergency service through the night if you need to pick up the phone. Find out more about your Hall's RAs in your kitchens, corridors and you can find the emergency duty phone number in your handbook here.

The Health Assured team can also help. This is a free, confidential advice line available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (0800 028 3766). Health Assured also offer a translation service. Find out more about Health Assured and their Wisdom app here.

The University also offer a range of support services for students. If you feel you could benefit from some support, book an appointment online. You can find other self-help resources to read from home here.