NANCY SAFINICK & CONNIE HORTON
Health Columnists
Does it seem like everyone else is doing fine, fitting in and making friends? Do you feel like the only one still feeling a little out-of-place, not quite settled or missing home? That’s the odd thing about homesickness: Although students often feel they are the exception this time of year, many freshmen are feeling homesick.
The transition to college is a significant life change, and thus a stressor. Stressors aren’t always bad: Some of the best things in life — getting married, having a baby, buying a home — are stressful. Stress simply means that what’s going on is taxing resources and putting someone at greater risk for getting sick or struggling emotionally. In coping with the stress of the transition, consider the following suggestions.
1) Keep perspective. This too shall pass. Remind yourself it’s highly likely that within a few weeks, homesickness will have largely faded. Know that what you miss most – family and good friends – have provided you with a good base, and in time, will contribute to your confidence and comfort at Pepperdine.
2) Stay open. Be psychologically open to possibilities. Keep your door open in the residence hall so you’ll be available to meet new friends. If you can, take a risk and start a conversation. Invite someone to eat with you. Remember, there are others who would love to make a connection. If taking the risk of initiating seems scary, at least try to respond positively to others’ invitations.
3) Self-soothe. Be patient with yourself and know that it takes a while to make friends. You may initially feel frustrated, sad or distressed, and a good short-term way to deal with these feelings is to consider your instinctive desires. What would sound good right now — a particular compact disc? The sound of the ocean? What would feel good — a hot shower? A good workout? As you deal with short-term feelings, long-term solutions to homesickness will come about on their own.
4) Dig deep. Hard, lonely times can prompt one to wrestle with some of the big questions of life: Who am I? Whose am I? What do I depend on? If you allow yourself to deeply consider these questions, this difficult season may end up becoming a period of significant spiritual growth.
5) Exercise. Physical activity plays a huge role in your feeling of well-being and it’s a great stress reliever. Look for a variety of activities to keep things interesting, and you might make some friends in the gym or on the field.
6) Eat well. Your diet can greatly influence your energy and mood. A healthy variety of foods — fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limited amounts of fats and oils — is recommended. Avoid skipping meals even when you’re busy, and remember to drink plenty of water.
7) Sleep. Get enough of it. Sleep deprivation can interfere with your ability to manage stress, sustain attention and maintain concentration. If you stay up all night to study but lack concentration skills during the next day’s exam, you’ll usually net poor results and most of that studying time goes to waste. When you feel like you don’t have time to sleep, it’s important to remember that you don’t have time not to sleep. You’ll perform more efficiently when you’re rested, which saves more time than you think.
8) Use your resources. Family and friends provide a safety net as you adjust. Also remember that the Student Health Center and the Counseling Center are available to offer confidential, professional support.
09-08-2005
