Guide
Dealing with homesickness at university
Updated on 19 January 2024
Missing home whilst you’re at university is a very normal thing, and can affect students at any stage of their studies.
For many students, moving to university will be the first time living independently from their family. Sometimes it can be hard to adjust to this new way of living, no matter if you’ve moved an hour away or to a brand new country.
Here are some tips on how to tackle homesickness whilst at university.
Pack some home comforts
If you feel anxious about living away from home, making it a relaxing and comfortable environment can help you to feel settled and more at ease.
Whether its cushions from your bedroom, or a crockery set from your kitchen, bringing some of your favourite things from home can help to make your new space as homely as possible.
Keep yourself busy
Getting involved in extra curricular activities is a great way to take your mind off your homesickness. Once you have an established support network at university, it can be easier to feel more at home and give you things to enjoy in your new city.
You can join a society with DUSA (Dundee University Students Association) or a sport club with the Sports Union.
Our SWITCH coordinators can provide support finding volunteer opportunities, society or sports club to join.
Talk to someone
Your feelings are completely valid, and you won’t be the only student struggling with missing home. Talk to your peers about how you’re feeling, it’s better to let it out than keep your feelings all bottled up.
If your homesickness is becoming too much and you’re struggling to adjust to university life, you can reach out to the Student Support Team to talk things through with an advisor.
You can also speak with our Counselling Service who can help talk through different ways of adapting to university life.
Connect with home
Technology means that you can connect with your friends and family with the quick push of a button. Try to schedule in a call with a loved one every now and then to catch up and let them know how university is going.
If possible, planning a visit home can give you something to look forward to, but try not to do it too often as you might miss out on activities and social events where you can make new friends. It’s good to establish a support network in your new city, as well as having your support network at home.
Practice self-care
It’s important to look after yourself whilst at university, and you should make efforts to do positive things for both your physical and mental health.
It’s okay to give yourself time. Some students feel at home by the end of Welcome Week, other students don’t properly settle in until the end of a semester. Everyone is different and that’s okay.
Homesickness will become easier to deal with over time, so don’t be hard on yourself and just take each day as it comes. Remember that you’re not alone.
If you have a pre-existing mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, and you feel that your homesickness has triggered your condition, let your GP know to get further support. If you haven’t yet registered with a local GP, see our register with a doctor guide.