I have been at school since August 19th, I only have been home once (this past weekend). It took a lot for me to stay at school this long, as I really don’t like it and feel as if I made the wrong choice on where I go to school. I’m homesick more often than not. Would going home every other weekend be too often? I live about an hour and a half away with no traffic. Transportation is not that big of an issue, if my parents can’t make it out to me I could take a 2 different hour long trains home. How can I remain positive during the times I am stuck at school.
Keep busy. Get a part time job, volunteer, join a club or get involved with something like the theater department or school paper. I’d limit your visits while you settle in. Maybe go home once in October, then for Thanksgiving, then for winter break. (Do you know anyone at school who is far from home & can’t go home? Consider inviting them for Thanksgiving).
It’s fine to go home every other weekend–that’s what I did when I was your age. Remember, this is YOUR life. Do what refreshes you to a positive and energetic attitude and do your best while you are at school. No need to feel like you can’t go home!
As far as what you can do to feel positive–exercise, eating right, sleeping right all help, and try to see people as curiosities rather than annoyances if that’s how you’re feeling.
Feeling homesick is entirely normal. Next semester you’ll likely feel better.
You won’t feel better if you leave campus too much, though – at least, you won’t make as many connections with people. And that, honestly, is what makes college more fun.
I just want to say that you are doing a really great job and should feel really good about yourself. The fact that you have been homesick and not that thrilled with college but have stuck it out and only gone home once is terrific. It shows real maturity. Maybe go home once or twice and then at Thanksgiving. You’ve made it through the longest stretch of the semester already! Keep up the good work!
I started the same time as you. I had to go home Labor Day Weekend to watch my dogs while my parents went away. I have to be honest, and I think my going home made me feel more homesick. I was a little homesick the first week or so of the semester and then felt fine, but when I had to go back to school after my visit home during Labor Day Weekend, I cried. I was fine when I got back to school, but leaving home for the second time was a lot harder than the first.
Now, I’m not going back home until October 21st, which will be seven weeks since I have been at home. I honestly like the fact that I haven’t gone home since Labor Day. I enjoy the activities on campus, and I wouldn’t want to travel every other weekend. I would also feel as if I am missing out on things if I went home often.
All in all, it’s up to you. I know a lot of people that do go home for the weekend. My school is 2 1/2 hours away from home, so I can go home when I want, but I’m the type of person that hates to travel. I’m content with seeing my family a couple times each semester in addition to the regular school breaks.
I’m feeling the exact same way. I think it should be up to you. If staying is doing more harm than good at this point going home every once in a while would be good. Perhaps make a countdown calendar so you have something to look forward to, or be spontaneous and just decide to go whenever. Your mental health comes first and if staying on campus a lot is difficult, than go home. Besides, depending on your college, you could be going to a suitcase college or the “fun” activities might not be your cup of tea. Do whatever makes you happy and satisfied. You may need to go home frequently now, but you’re building up to being able to be on your own in the future.
I’m going to assume that you;re a freshman. Going home every other week doesn’t seem excessive (at least in my eyes). I understand what some of the other posters are saying about not being able to make many connections or help your social life, but you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Honestly, you could probably do the every other week thing for the rest of the year and try to space it out to once a month next year. You still have 3 years ahead of you to make friends (this is even more true if you go to a bigger school where every year feels like a fresh start).
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/to-the-college-student-that-goes-home-too-much
Maybe this will help?
Many students who live within 3 hour distance do that. There is nothing wrong with it, as long as commute isn’t effecting your studies.
I was friendly with a girl who lived two towns over from me. She went home every weekend as that was where her boyfriend was. (I sometimes rode with her and paid the toll.) She was focused on her studies and managed to graduate in what would have been her junior year. I don’t think she was miserable at our school. She was friendly with the girls on the floor and most likely the students in her classes. She just had different priorities. You need to decide what you want to do. And leave yourself room to change your mind as time goes on.