When students first go to college they may experience the excitement of starting a new life, the familiar feeling of starting a school year and the dread of leaving their families behind. However, sometimes being homesick can turn into a problem.
“Change is really hard on some people, and going to college is a big change,” said Debra Goldman, LCSW, director of NSU’s Henderson Student Counseling Center. “It’s not only a change in environment or living situation — it’s a change in everything.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics journal published a study in January 2007 that revealed that homesickness is not just a nostalgic feeling for home, but rather a disorder with severe symptoms that may hinder the way people live.
According to the study, individuals with the disorder may develop anxiety, sadness, nervousness and high levels of longing for home. Students may miss friends or sitting down to dinner with their families every night.
Matthew Lein, sophomore psychology major from Chicago, said, “I miss my mom’s home-cooked meals so much, and my bed, too.”
The study also noted that homesickness gets easier with time. According to the study, children who have experience spending time away from their families, like at summer camps are less likely to experience severe homesickness in college.
Lein agreed. He said it is a little easier now that he is in his second year of college.
“It takes getting used to,” he said. “I talk to my parents every three days and I talk to a girl I like every day.”
However, students don’t have to live far from home to miss it. Susie Ruiz-Achong, senior marketing major, is from Plantation, but lives on campus.
“I don’t have time to miss my house, but I do miss spending time with my mom,” she said. “If I went to school in a different state I would definitely miss it more, but since I’m right here I see them every other weekend.”
The effect of being away from home also depends on the individual’s personality.
Khaydel Koppar, a first-year medical student, remembered the first time he spent a long time away from home as a fun experience.
“I was taking summer classes in Penn State while I was in high school and I really enjoyed the independence,” he said.
Goldman said the feelings of anxiety should decrease once the student starts school or moves into the residence hall. She also said students could try to diminish the anxiety by getting involved on campus.
If the anxiety persists, students should contact the counseling center at (954) 424-6911.
