Anxieties about moving to university are completely normal. I used to consider myself a home bird and was very worried about moving away. I know many other people feel this too.
Accepting that not everyone will feel comfortable in their first few weeks is important. This ensures the pressure of making yourself have the best time ever, as soon as possible, far less.
Understanding that everyone adapts to different environments in their own time will allow for you to not feel pressured to feel as settled into university as quickly as your house mates or course friends may do.
Taking it at your own pace is hugely important. For me, finding common ground with my house mates, and then going on nights out, enabled me to find a great group of friends.
However, if you feel you do not click with your house mates immediately, give it time. Some people simply take longer coming out of their shell.
There are new groups everywhere
Join societies, as this is where many people find their lifelong friends and bond through some of their favourite sports or passions. Make sure you also attend your lectures as much as possible to see if your future best friend is actually in your course or lecture hall.
Remembering that this is a time of your life solely for you is a good place to start. Only you can make yourself happy and push your limits as far as you wish.
Whether this be by meeting people whose path you normally don’t cross, trying out for a new sports team or music society, or getting your head down and going to the library regularly to make sure you achieve the most out of your academic studies. Do what makes you happy.
Speaking from experience, joining a sports society is a great way to meet me people and play a sport that I’ve always enjoyed.
It is the socials and themed nights out that really bond people and allow you to make lifelong memories. But of course, feeling homesick is completely normal.
How to Help
Having a set time where you try not to go home for a while is an effective way to settle into a new environment.
This doesn’t mean that you cannot go home if you’re really struggling. But organising the trip back on a certain weekend after you’ve had a month or two in your own space could be something to really look forward to. This is also something you can keep in your mind if you are starting to feel a bit homesick.
Having regular call or facetimes with your home friends, as well as planning trips to visit them if they are also at university, can be a great thing to plan.
Of course, keeping busy to distract you from being homesick can be great. Yet is also important to make sure you are taking care of yourself and having days where you can just chill with your favourite movie or takeaway. Moving away is a hugely draining experience even though it is very fun.
Other ways to deal with some home sickness include taking your favourite duvet set, candle, or lamp to your university room.
As silly as it may sound, having a piece of your room from home in your new halls or house, can really make your room feel more your own and can be a great way for you to settle into university life.