I’m currently at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and I’m getting really homesick, I miss my home in Nashville and want to go back really bad. I really haven’t made any new friends here and I’ve been hanging out with the same people from my high school. Overall, I really miss my home, family, and old friends in high school and I don’t like being away in college. Plus here, everyone seems to be involved in greek life, and I feel like an outsider for not being in a frat.
Thanks
I’m sorry the transition has been bumpy for you, Tennessee. First of all, please know that you are not unusual. Many of your peers are struggling with these same feelings. It’s hard when you are in the midst of it to remember that you aren’t alone, but you’re not.
My best advice is to make some small goals. Perhaps one might be to make it to the end of this semester. You can explore transferring closer to home. Also, pick a couple of things to get involved with on campus. Volunteering your time is a great way of meeting people. Reach out to your RA for resources. Go talk to someone in the counseling service. Get adequate rest, eat well and find some type of physical activity too. Finally, focus on your school work until the social part straightens out. Reward yourself in small ways for all the positive things you do.
Have you talked to your parents about how you’re feeling?
I was in your shoes many, many years ago. I did not settle in with new friends until the second semester, but it was great when I did. I did join some clubs that made a big difference. I did the Kiwanis club (It is called Circle K Int’l on college campuses) and they do great volunteer work in the community and it is a good way to meet fellow students. I also had friends that did the event planning committee, it is called the Campus Events Board at your school. If you google “University of Tennesee clubs” you will see a list if 600+ clubs with info and meeting dates and times. It is hard joining in I know. I had to psyche myself up to do it, but it was worth it. And it is completely normal to miss home! It would be wrong if you didn’t 
It is only the end of October. Dive into classes and take a chance on a club.
If you hang out w/ friends from HS, then that prevents you from making new friends.
here are tips on making friends in college:
Agree about hanging out with those HS friends. Hard to make time for new friends when you are busy with the old. Also keeps reminding you of what life was like back in HS days but without the hometown. Greek life doesn’t need to bother you unless you let it. I can see how there can be many possible friends who you ignore because you are already busy.
To have a friend, be a friend. Choose to eat with someone from your classes or dorm who is not from your old, precollege, life. Stop to socialize with others. Invite someone to go to wherever instead of doing so with old friends. You will discover you are not the only one missing home and that people miss other places than your hometown.
It is great that you chose to leave your city for school. You are getting a wider world view, even if still instate.
I suspect you and the HS friends are clinging to each other for familiarity’s sake. Be the first to branch out! First semester is stressful with all of the changes, gradually people discover they can move beyond their comfort zone. Hang in there.
Please read the pinned post in the college life forum about feeling friendless, homesick and lonely. You need to give it time, but you also need to invest in your NEW situation and make an effort.
To make it easy to get to the helpful threads:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1808143-having-trouble-adjusting-to-college-making-friends-top-10-things-to-do.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/2016222-to-those-who-feel-lonely-homesick-friendless-think-they-chose-the-wrong-school-etc.html