Helping Homesick College Kids

Did you know up to 70% of college students experience homesickness during their first few months of school? It’s true. Today, we are focusing on Helping Homesick College Kids find their way without bringing them home.

Are you a parent with a child who’s just started college—or maybe you’re about to send them off? First off, this is such a big moment, not just for your child but for you, too. The house feels a little quieter, and your heart likely feels all sorts of emotions. And so is your child. So, when we get a call from our distraught college kid asking to come home, we aren’t always sure what to do. Today, I’ll share some practical tips and a few personal stories and hopefully give you the reassurance that everything you’re child is feeling is completely normal.

It’s common for college students to feel homesick, especially in the first few weeks of school. And many kids are so overwhelmed they want to quit school and come back home. And as parents, it can tug at our hearts. But, before we say yes, there are some ways we can help them find their way without coming home.

Helping Homesick College Kids Adjust to College Life

Understanding What is Really Going On

Why did your child go from being excited to wanting to go home? While there are many reasons, the most common ones are fear of the unknown, nervousness, and anxiety. They left what was familiar and comfortable. They don’t know anyone, they don’t know their way around, and they don’t know their professors. The newness of everything can overwhelm some kids, causing them to think they’ve made a big mistake.

Rather than immediately letting them come home, parents can gently encourage their child to stick it out for a bit longer, like until the end of the first semester. This will help them gain confidence in their ability to handle new situations and grow into independence.

What Can YOU Do?

1. Support Independence:
2. Balance Support with Understanding
3. Create a Timeline

Five Ways to Help College Kids FInd Their Way

Encourage your child to maintain strong connections with family and friends back home by scheduling regular video calls or sending thoughtful messages. These moments of connection can provide comfort and remind them that they have a support system rooting for them, no matter how far away they are.

Additionally, consider sending care packages filled with their favorite snacks, photos, or small items that remind them of home. These little gestures can bring a sense of familiarity and warmth, helping to ease the feelings of homesickness and reinforcing the bond they have with their loved ones.

Establish a Comforting Routine

Encourage your child to build a daily routine that feels comforting and familiar, something that can anchor them in this new chapter of their life. It might be as simple as starting their day with a cup of coffee just like they did at home, taking a few minutes to enjoy a hobby that brings them joy, or ending the day by watching a favorite show or reading a book. These small, everyday rituals can create a sense of stability and make the college experience feel a little less overwhelming, helping them find their footing in a new environment.

Stay Connect to Home

Encourage your child to maintain strong connections with family and friends back home by scheduling regular video calls or sending thoughtful messages. These moments of connection can provide comfort and remind them that they have a support system rooting for them, no matter how far away they are.

Additionally, consider sending care packages filled with their favorite snacks, photos, or small items that remind them of home. These little gestures can bring a sense of familiarity and warmth, helping to ease the feelings of homesickness and reinforcing the bond they have with their loved ones.

Encourage Social Connections

Remind your child that getting involved on campus can help them feel more at home. Joining a club, playing intramural sports, and participating in a study group can be a great way to meet new friends and build a support system. We are created for community and relationships and getting involved is an excellent way to do ease homesickness.

Find Local Support

If your child is struggling to find their way, encourage them to ask for help and find a church they can plugged into. Asking for help might make your child feel uncomfortable, but if you remind them that colleges pay people to advise and help kids just like your child, they will make them feel less self-conscious about asking for help.

By all means, try not to make your child feel like something is wrong with them. Keep it matter-of-fact. I would even suggest you do a little research and send your child some links or phone numbers to make it easier for your child to contact others.

Pracitical Self-care

College kids tend to forget about getting enough sleep, eating right, managing time, and exercising. We can gently remind them how necessary self-care is by suggesting simple mindfulness practices, like taking deep breaths or writing in a journal when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Doing some physical activity, like going for a walk or doing a workout, can also help them release stress and boost their mood. This will help them keep the proper perspective of this season of life.

Wrapping It Up

Don’t forget your child is moving towards something new, which isn’t always easy. As much as we might want to swoop in and rescue them, we must pray about what is best for our child.

Pray before saying yes to moving back. Pray about how much you help them and how you help them.

The emotional journey parents and college students face when dealing with homesickness during the first few months away from home is real, and common. I pray God gives you wisdom as you help your young adult navigate this season of change well.