Homesickness in College: 8 Tips to Help

What Was

Like the song says, “You never know what you got till it’s gone.” Being away from home is exciting, but homesickness in college is real. Your family, friends, and entire support network suddenly feel light-years away. All the new faces and rules make college feel alien by comparison.

“I went to the dining hall and they were serving mac n’ cheese. My mom used to make that for my sister and me, and we’d watch movies together. I just started crying — it hit me how much I missed them.”

That kind of moment is normal. Your whole life changed the day you arrived on campus. Everything familiar is miles away — but it does get better.

What Is

Here’s the bittersweet truth: the heartache you’re feeling? Your family is feeling it too. The goal isn’t to ignore homesickness, but to find ways to make it easier for everyone.

“My little sister sends me a stupid selfie every Wednesday — goofy faces, dumb dances. It makes my whole week.”

Stay lightly connected. Keep a group chat active with inside jokes, memes, or even mundane photos. Connection doesn’t have to be deep to be real.
Make it routine. Set a weekly call when your family is all home. Have them pass the phone around. Don’t forget grandparents — they miss you too.
Keep a comfort item. Hoodie, photo, blanket, even a kitchen towel from home. It doesn’t matter what — it matters that it feels familiar.

What Could Be

You can’t replace your best friend from home — but you can add new ones. That isn’t betrayal, it’s just life moving forward.

Making friends in a new place is hard, though. You didn’t grow up with these people, and you don’t know all the spots on campus yet.

Here’s how to make it easier:

Proximity friendships. Talk to the person on your floor who always leaves their door open. Start with a shared playlist or one small complaint.
Low-pressure clubs. You don’t have to love it — just show up.
Change your scenery. Study in another building, sit in on a campus event, or just loiter in the student center. The more you’re seen, the more familiar you become.

A Note for Parents

If you’re reading this as a parent: you’re doing fine. If your student isn’t calling as much as you’d like, it doesn’t mean they don’t miss you. It usually means they’re trying to figure out how to grow without letting go. Keep the door open, even if the calls are quiet.

If You’re Struggling with Homesickness in College: 8 Tips to Help

Homesickness doesn’t mean you’re weak. Most campuses have resources — counseling centers, peer mentors, RA-led events, academic support. They exist for a reason, and that reason is you.

1. Feel it — don’t fight it

Homesickness doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’re human. Let yourself cry, call home, or just sit with the ache for a bit. Feeling it makes it easier to move through.

2. Make micro-connections

Start small. Say hi to the person in your hall you always pass, or share a joke in a group chat. Friendship begins with the little things, like a shared complaint about the dining hall food.

3. Bring a piece of home

A hoodie that still smells like your dog, a blanket you always used for movie nights, or even a kitchen towel from home. It doesn’t matter what it is — only that it’s yours.

4. Stay lightly in touch

Send a goofy selfie, share a meme, or make a five-minute call. Nobody needs a two-hour debrief — little check-ins keep everyone close without draining your energy.

5. Build a campus comfort routine

Pick one or two things that make your week feel anchored — maybe a Tuesday night gym class, a Thursday coffee, or Sunday laundry with music blasting. Familiar rhythms create new comfort zones.

6. Try something new — low stakes

Join a club, show up at trivia night, or sit in on a meeting even if you don’t say a word. You don’t have to love it — just showing up makes the campus feel more like a community.

7. Ask for help if you need it

Your RA, counseling center, peer mentors, they’re there for you. Even a five-minute conversation can make the weight feel lighter and trust us, they will understand where you are coming from.

8. Remember, it gets better

You’re not alone and you’re stronger than you think. With time, you’ll feel more confident, independent, and at home on campus than you ever imagined.

Moving to College is Hard Enough

Storage Squad is here to help with the practical side of the transition — from move-in storage to shipping solutions — so students and families can focus on what matters most: building new connections while keeping old ones close.

Check out our services to find ways to make the transition between home and college easier.