Dealing with homesickness
Moving to a new city, or even country, is no easy task. And it’s completely normal that you might be missing home! Here we have prepared seven tips on how to feel a little less homesick, to help you when these feelings arise.
What is homesickness?
Homesickness is your body reacting to a lost sense of security and comfort that comes from familiar surroundings.
For most people, this feeling of homesickness is mild and only lasts a short period—with most people experiencing a sense of loneliness as a result. For others, the symptoms of homesickness can be much stronger.
Seven tips for students to help battle homesickness
1. Establish a good work routine
Decide early on to spend your time on your studies and enjoying student life, and not on missing the old days. Of course, it’s always nice to spend a little bit of time reminiscing! But remember that you’re here to have new experiences and make new memories.
2. Join a student organisation
Bergen is full of fantastic student organisations! Joining a student organisation will give you a sense of routine in your schedule, as well as being fun and introducing you to new like-minded people! With such a busy schedule, you won’t even have time to feel homesick.
3. Get a part-time job
A part-time job not only helps improve the student finances, but also gives you structure in your everyday life. With the right workload, working part-time can even make you a more efficient student!
4. Go out and do something fun! (Perhaps with some of your new friends)
Try not to let missing your old life take away from what’s new! Try and find something fun to do every day; whether that be learning a new skill, hanging out with friends, or exploring the city. We have created a list of 19 free things to do in Bergen if you’re looking for some inspiration. And our student calendar also has a full overview of student events happening in Bergen.
5. Surround yourself with things that spark joy
A student apartment is perhaps the first place you will live on your own. By making your space more cozy, it’s going to feel a lot more like home. Bergen has many second-hand shops and flea markets, as well as digital marketplaces, where you can find things that are cheap 😊
6. Ring home, but not every day
Whether it be family or friends, keeping in contact with those you love back home is super important! Using video calls is even more personable than a regular call, and can provide comfort and relief when homesickness is starting to sink in. Be sure to keep them updated with all the exciting new things happening with you, but don’t ring so often that you don’t get the chance to enjoy your new life.
7. Accept that homesickness takes time to pass
There is no quick fix for homesickness! Remember that missing home isn’t a bad thing and try to enjoy your new life as much as possible. Wait a few weeks and see if the feeling passes or begins to fade.
Who can help with homesickness?
If this feeling of homesickness doesn’t pass, remember to reach out for help!
Chat with a friend from your university (perhaps they’ve been through something similar), or a fadder/mentor. You can also get in contact with the student welfare organisation Sammen, who offer several courses that can help you through difficult periods.
