Feeling Homesick…? — Ten Comical Tips for Survival
Greetings fellow humans! My name is Saluka and I really should specify, these are intentionally comedic tips. If you come away from this having giggled at least once, then that in itself is a result! Please let us know if any of these tips worked for you!
TIP 1: Laughter, Laughter, Laughter!
Try to see the funny side of feeling homesick. You really miss your family, friends and home comforts as everything seems so unfamiliar. You face time your siblings, laugh about old times, your family miss you lots but two abusive sibling comments later, you realise that you love them but don’t actually like them.
TIP 2: Feline Friends
Replace your siblings with a cat. Cats clean themselves and don’t need walking twice a day. Plenty of time for essay writing! Cats provide an inordinate amount of comfort and love. Well, as long as you don’t go all ‘Tiger King’ on us!
TIP 3: Fellow Friends
Making friends with a variety of actual humans is a sure-fire way to avoid feeling homesick. Take brave steps to talk to students on your course, in your accommodation. Say hello. Smile. Ask if anyone else is feeling homesick. A problem shared is a problem half scared! Try visiting the Student Union bars Terrace or Stylus or music events at Brudenell.
TIP 4: Opposites Attract!
Okay. So, she has bright blue hair, he is wearing unwashed jeans that are far too tight and short. Somebody else smells musty and alone. So what if nobody looks like you? You asked for ‘individuality’ so — there you go! You could be amazed by how much you all have in common. Be prepared to be the change you want in your life. Give it a couple of months and you’ll be asking for blue hair dying tips.
TIP 5: Smell Box
You could put musty student from Tip 4 in a smell box but that would do nothing to alleviate your homesickness. Get yourself a small box and fill it with familiar smells from home. Feeling homesick? Open the box and inhale the aromas of home. My box has a lavender bag, coffee, my mum’s scarf and a very specific packet of smoky bacon crisps in it — don’t ask!
TIP 6: Parental Batch Cook
This tip is easy — from your perspective. All you need is some freezer space. Ask your family to batch cook a month’s worth of your favourite meal and UPS it to your house. Simple.
TIP 7: Family Photos
Despite their amazing products, do not go to Wilko’s to get wall décor. Avoid feeling homesick by covering your bedroom wall from floor to ceiling on all four sides in duplicated family photographs. Family photos are this season’s new wallpaper!
TIP 8: Join a Club/Society
You’ve tried Tips 1–7 and still feel homesick. You’ve tried to relate to the ‘alternative’ students but it’s still a little awkward. Fair enough. Now hunt out people you know you share common interests with.
- If you like astrology.
- If you hate meat.
- If you love lamb chops.
- If you are a male who wants to talk safely with other males –
- If you are a mature student/post grad (all students welcome) -
- If you are a Black Disabled Mature student like me then we best have a chat hey?!
- If you happen to have loads of cash, then you can afford that first-class train ticket home for the weekend. Taa-daa!
TIP 9: Easily Get Involved in Uni Life!
You can get involved in the vibrant diverse life that The University of Leeds has to offer. For example: volunteering, internships, paid employment, Buddying System, Mental Health and Wellbeing to name a few. Or… you could just do what I did. Sit in the friendly Old Bar on campus with a pint and a smile. I made some great friends that way. One even lives with me now!
TIP 10: Your Very Own Homesick Homies
WHAT?! There is a university homesick society? No. You’ll have to bake cakes and set up your own homesick club.
… Do you know what? There might even be funding for that!
University Blog Written By: Saluka Saul, BA(Hons), QTS, PGDip, PG Cert
