As the semester starts to kick into full gear, many first year students will be experiencing their first real battle with homesickness. Whether home is a few towns away or across state lines, being away from a place you know by heart can get tough. “The data suggests to us nationally that around the fourth to sixth week is when students feel the greatest sense of homesickness,” said Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Jim Hundrieser.
Missing home is common in colleges and universities all over the country, especially in first year students. “Many of our students haven’t shared a bedroom before so now they’re sharing with a roommate for the first time and getting used to two peoples schedules,” explains Hundrieser, “[students are] adjusting to a much more flexible schedule than they had in high school.”
Going from six hours of consecutive classes every day to 12-15 class hours per week, is part of that huge adjustment that Hundrieser illustrates. “You’ve been in this structured world and environment until you come here, and they have all this free time.”
That free time is the ideal opportunity for homesickness to sneak up on students, especially those who haven’t yet gotten involved. “It’s really easy to just stay in your room, but we want students to take advantage of everything we have to offer.”
And we have more than just sports teams to offer here at Plymouth. With over eighty clubs and organizations and six or seven intermural sports every semester, there is something for everyone to do.
Although Plymouth State University is no stranger to this type of behavior, each year faculty are asked to lend a helping hand to any student who may be having some trouble getting totally acclimated; assuring them that they are not alone.
This isn’t always an easy task, but it could mean the world to someone who needs it. “Part of the elimination of homesickness is human contact…in our text, e-mail and Facebook world sometimes we forget to knock on doors and say Hi,” says Hundrieser, “it’s different to have a one-on-one face to face conversation.”
Homesickness is nothing to be ashamed of; students of all levels experience some form of it every day. Hundrieser wants students to know that there are many different options here on campus that can help anyone having trouble.
“At this stage in the game if you haven’t gone home yet it’s probably okay to go home and check back in,’ he explains. That obvious solution may be just what you need to relax and get back on your feet.
If you cannot get home or it hasn’t seemed to work, Hundrieser advises students to take advantage of the student fees they paid and, “Use our counseling services if you feel like you really need an outside person to process those feelings on a deeper level…help them help you through the transition if you feel like you really need that independent person to help guide you.”
Homesickness is completely normal this time of year and some students will have a more difficult time battling this issue, but they do not have to fight it alone. Students have so many opportunities to be successful and to reach out to others. Whether they are reaching out to faculty, getting involved in clubs or organizations, or going to see the wonderful Wellness staff, staying on track emotionally can make for a great year away from home.
Hundrieser hopes students can realize all of the great things that Plymouth State University has to offer and use them to keep the homesickness at bay, “It’s such a great opportunity for students to get connected…if you have not pushed yourself to get connected or involved in something, find something.”