Skip to content
Liv Student
  • Experience
  • AboutExpand
    • News
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • MYLIV LOGINExpand
    • Sheffield
    • Belfast
    • Dublin
    • Portugal
    • Spain
  • Book Your LocationExpand
    • UKExpand
      • Sheffield
      • Belfast
    • IrelandExpand
      • Dublin
    • SpainExpand
      • Barcelona 22@
      • BARCELONA SARRIÁ
      • Granada
      • Seville
    • PortugalExpand
      • PORTO POLO UNIVERSITARIO
      • PORTO CAMPUS STREET
  • EnglishExpand
    • 中文
Liv Student

Is It Normal To Experience Homesickness

  • October 3, 2019
  • Blog

As you settle into your new university existence, you may be surprised to feel an overwhelming sense of homesickness. Though you may love the independence of uni life, at times you might still feel sad, out of sorts, or long for the comforts of home. Don’t fret; you aren’t alone—homesickness is perfectly normal for all university students. A recent survey found that up to 70 percent of students will experience homesickness in their early days at university. There are even in-depth medical research projects that focus specifically on this issue.

What causes or triggers homesickness?

Stress can be a major cause of homesickness for freshers or other new uni students. Recent reports show that 87 percent of uni students feel stressed, while 77 percent experience anxiety. Stress is a part of life. However, learning to manage new situations away from home can present a unique challenge and make you wish you were back home in familiar surroundings.

Now that you know the feelings you have are real and common, what can you do to ease them? Try our top five tips on how to deal with homesickness at uni: 

1. Keep Busy

Even if all you want to do is curl up in bed and cry yourself to sleep, fight the urge! Get out of your room or apartment and keep yourself busy. We promise you, there are plenty of activities hosted by your campus or student living community. Do a little research to find societies that offer your favourite activities, like hiking, playing video games, or study groups to help you focus on your coursework. If you aren’t ready to commit to a club or organisation, try going out for a sporting event. Either look for discounted tickets (a perk for uni students) or head to a local pub to watch a match. 

2. Get Physical

Exercise has many benefits, especially for those who feel sad or anxious. Besides helping you keep your mind occupied, exercise produces endorphins—the feel-good hormone that elevates your mood. Don’t get stuck in the trap of thinking working out means that you have to do something boring or repetitive either. Find an activity that gets your heart racing, and you enjoy. Then you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Your first year at uni is a great time to take up a new hobby, like hiking, swimming, golfing, or even rock climbing.

3. Volunteer

Volunteer opportunities are plentiful at university. Look for opportunities with university-based clubs or seek outside opportunities with local organisations. The benefits of volunteering go way beyond a cheery disposition—although helping others will make you feel better! You also meet new people or potential friends, add valuable skills to your resume, and get an opportunity to give back to your community.

4. Stay in Touch With Your Family (the Right Amount)

It seems simple—if you miss Mum or Dad, call or FaceTime them. However, sometimes if you want to try to suck it up, or worry that hearing their voice will make you sadder, you do the opposite and retreat. Know that your parents, family, or friends would love to hear from you, and it might help you feel connected to them, even while away. 

Consider scheduling a weekly time with your parents or fave family member. The regular, short contact might be enough to keep the homesickness at bay. 

Alternatively, if after a convo with your family, you feel even more homesick, think about spacing out your calls a bit. When the urge to call home arises, find a distracting activity to do with some of your new mates. You can also try out communication via email or messaging to see if that feels better. 

5. Take Care of Your Health

It’s important not to let yourself get run down in other ways when you feel homesick at uni. Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat as many fruits and veggies as you can stand. Most unis or student accommodation have smoothie cafes where you can get an easy boost of nutrition on the go—perfect for a busy day! (If you live at LIV Student, we have smoothies at our vegan-friendly cafe as well as fitness classes in our private gym). 

Keep your physical health in tip-top shape with these reminders from the National Union of Students. 

Hint: this will also help you ward off the freshers’ flu and boost up your immune system.

Get Happy, Not Homesick at Uni

It can feel overwhelming when you get hit with homesickness, but take a deep breath and remember that you’ll be back with your family before you know it. In the meantime, stay busy and stay healthy! 

Want more tips and tricks to surviving uni? Check out our other blogs: 

  • An honest Q&A with LIV Student resident, Clemmie, on her first month as a fresher
  • A list of healthy and easy meals for uni students on a budget 
  • A guide to making friends during freshers
PrevPreviousStudent Accommodation: What Do I Need?
NextIt’s World Mental Health Day: Try These Self-Care Practices to Improve Your Mental HealthNext
Recent Posts
  • Your check out guide!
  • Summer Stays with LIV!
  • Double date for LIV Student in Global Student Living Awards, based exclusively on residents’ feedback
Archives
  • May 2023
  • August 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • UNITED KINGDOM
LIV Student Sheffield
LIV Student Belfast
  • IRELAND
LIV Student Dublin
  • SPAIN
LIV Student Barcelona 22@
LIV Student Barcelona Sarriá
LIV Student Granada
LIV Student Seville
  • PORTUGAL
LIV Student Porto University
Center LIV Student Porto Campus Street
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corporate
  • About
  • Blog
  • News
  • FAQ
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corporate
  • About
  • Blog
  • News
  • FAQ
Copyright © LIV Student 2023
We use Cookies to provide a better user experience. By accepting, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
REJECTACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Your Booking Starts Here!

View our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Your Booking Starts Here!

Subscribe to receive LIV Student news, information and rewards.(Required)

View our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Your Booking Starts Here!

Hidden
Subscribe to receive LIV Student news, information and rewards.(Required)

View our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Your Booking Starts Here!

Subscribe to receive LIV Student news, information and rewards.(Required)

View our Privacy Policy and Terms.

  • Experience
  • About
    • News
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • MYLIV LOGIN
    • Sheffield
    • Belfast
    • Dublin
    • Portugal
    • Spain
  • Book Your Location
    • UK
      • Sheffield
      • Belfast
    • Ireland
      • Dublin
    • Spain
      • Barcelona 22@
      • BARCELONA SARRIÁ
      • Granada
      • Seville
    • Portugal
      • PORTO POLO UNIVERSITARIO
      • PORTO CAMPUS STREET
  • English
    • 中文