Moving from home to university is one of the biggest changes many young people will make. There is a lot to look forward to: new friends, more independence and the chance to study something you genuinely enjoy. But once Freshers’ Week is over, it is also common to miss home, familiar routines and the people you know best.
Homesickness does not mean you have made the wrong choice or that you are failing to settle in. It is a normal response to a major life change, and it often eases as your new surroundings become more familiar.
Why homesickness can feel so overwhelming
Starting university can involve changing almost every part of your day at once. You may be living in a new city, sharing with people you have only just met, managing your own cooking and laundry, and adjusting to a different academic routine.
At the same time, social media can make it look as though everyone else is having the perfect university experience. In reality, plenty of students feel lonely or uncertain during their first few weeks, even if they seem confident on the outside.
Recognising that these feelings are normal can make them easier to deal with. Student Minds has useful advice on feeling homesick at university, including practical ways to make the transition feel less daunting.
Create a routine that gives your days structure
University timetables can leave you with more free time than you are used to. While that can be exciting, too much unplanned time can make it easier to overthink or retreat to your room.
Try to build a simple weekday routine around your lectures and seminars. You could set a regular wake-up time, plan when you will cook, schedule library sessions and make time to relax properly in the evening.
Small habits can make a big difference. Going for a walk around campus, visiting a local café, attending a fitness class or doing your food shop on the same day each week can help your new city feel more familiar.
If you are still getting used to managing your time, our guide to balancing contact hours and independent study may help you build a routine that feels manageable.
Make connections without putting pressure on yourself
You do not need to meet your future best friends in the first week. Genuine friendships usually take time, especially when everyone is adjusting to a new environment.
Societies, sports clubs and student union events are often one of the easiest ways to meet people because you already have a shared interest. Whether you enjoy gaming, football, music, volunteering, debating or creative writing, attending something regularly gives conversations a more natural starting point.
It can also help to make small efforts with your flatmates. Suggest cooking together, ask whether anyone wants to go to the supermarket, or invite someone for a walk between lectures. These small moments can gradually make halls feel less unfamiliar.
Stay in touch with home, but give yourself space to settle
Calling home can be reassuring, particularly after a difficult day. Keeping in contact with family and old friends does not stop you becoming independent.
However, it is worth finding a balance. If you spend every evening on the phone or travel home at every opportunity, it can be harder to invest in your new life. Try arranging regular calls rather than feeling you need to be in constant contact, then use some evenings to join your flatmates, attend a society or explore your university town.
Home will still be there. Giving yourself time to settle where you are now is an important part of making university feel like your own experience.
Make your room feel more like yours
Your university room may feel plain at first, but personalising it can make a real difference. Bring photographs, familiar bedding, favourite books or small decorations that remind you of home.
You do not need to spend much money. A few simple touches can make your room feel more comfortable and give you somewhere calm to return to after a busy day.
It can also help to get to know the area around you. Find your nearest supermarket, learn the bus routes and identify places you like spending time. The more familiar your surroundings become, the less intimidating they are likely to feel.
Ask for support if homesickness is not easing
Most universities offer wellbeing services, counselling, peer support or student advisers. These services are there for exactly this kind of situation, so you do not need to wait until things feel unbearable before contacting them.
If homesickness is affecting your sleep, studies, appetite or ability to cope day to day, speak to your university wellbeing team, GP or students’ union. The NHS also explains the mental health support available to university students.
Settling in takes time, and there will be better days alongside more difficult ones. Focus on small steps: attend one event, explore one new place or speak to one person. Gradually, the routines, people and places around you can begin to feel like home too.
.svg){kind=icon}