Curb Homesick Heart

How to best conquer the mid-quarter blues Jade EstradaTHE SANTA CLARAOctober 17, 2013

 Missing home is understandable. Most students feel nostalgic for family and old friends to an extent at some point in their college years. It’s a big leap attending school and having so many newly accessible opportunities. How can you stop this gnawing feeling from impeding your progress not only in your classes, but also in making this community feel like a second home?First, surround yourself with images and objects that bring home to you. Whether they are pictures, notes or special keepsakes, these items help make the white walls less foreign and more welcoming after a long day.Next, join clubs on campus. It’s the quickest way to meet people who most likely will share a common interest. Heavy background in community service? Try out Santa Clara Community Action Program. Love to dance? Salsa Clara. Always down for something adventurous? Check out Into the Wild.  Or visit the Multicultural Center in the Shapell Lounge to learn about joining a cultural student organization. Being active in the community will be helpful to distract you from all of those forlorn feelings.But of course, you’re most likely homesick for the simple reason that you miss home and those still living back where you’re from. So keep in touch and establish a schedule for contact.  Call up whomever it is that’s on your mind, lay out your schedules and make it happen. Skype or call, but even a simple text will  prove to be very effective in getting a sense of comfort when you need to speak to someone — and a sense of comfort from just knowing that they’re there.Make a note, however, that feeling homesick is just your mind combining with your emotions to tell you that you’re out of your element. And that’s not a bad thing. You’re just adapting. Now, when you move into your first off-campus apartment in a couple of years, or into another new city after college, you’ll have already trained yourself for that sort of change.If at times you do feel overwhelmed with these emotions, it may be in your best interest to get in contact with the Counseling Center, based out of Cowell Health Center.Contact Jade Estrada at jestrada@scu.edu.