Homesickness is the distress caused by being away from home. The main symptoms are thinking so much about home and things you are attached to, feeling lonely, and being unable to talk to new people and feeling social anxiety.

  “There are a lot of resources on campus that sometimes students do not take advantage of. The college is designed to help you. Just put yourself out there and go take advantage,” Lauren Tyler, director of Student Life, said.

1. Join a club or organization

Joining a club or organization on campus can help you make new friends and feel part of a community.

Tyler offers advice to students who suffers homesickness. 

“If you can replicate that feeling through being part of a core group or having that connection, it can give us belonging. It is not necessarily tied to a group. But if you find a way to connect to somebody on campus, you will be much more likely to enjoy being here.”

For more information about the clubs and organizations, visit orgsync.tjc.edu.

2.Get actively involved in campus events

There are a variety of events and activities regularly. Participating in these can help you integrate into campus life and helps you forget a little about how much you miss (feelings of) your family. Cory Howard, professor of psychology, give insight on the benefits of being involved in campus.

 “When you don’t know anyone, you really get out of your comfort zone,” Howard said.

A wide variety of events are held in TJC, from study-related events such as “How to write an Essay” to sports events like “Gold Rush” and fun events like “Bingo Night.” “Bingo Night” is a social event held once a month to strengthen connection between students.  

“Hey, you know, I am going to Bingo even though I might not know anyone. What is the

worst thing that can happen? You may make a new friend and win a prize,” Tyler said.

For more information about what events are going to happen next, visit www.tjc.edu/homepage/126/events.

3.Stay in touch with family and friends regularly

Use technology to stay in touch with family and friends regularly through video calls and messages. This can help ease the feeling of homesickness you may feel at times.

“I do have a concern with it because we rely too much on that. That keeps us from going out and meeting other people. So, use it when you really need to talk to them,” Howard said.

4.Maintain a healthy lifestyle

 Eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep are all good for your mental health. 

“ARC [Apache Recreation Center] is a place where students and staff can work out. It is a good environment where people can develop good friendship and just come to waste their stress,” Xavique Cyrus, coordinator of recreation sports, said. “It helps to improve your overall well-being, mental health, physical health, even spiritual.”

Places on campus that can help you live a healthy life include dining resources at tjc.campusdish.com and Apache Recreation Center.

5.Use your hobbies and skills

 Taking up a new hobby or continuing an existing one can help you relax and reduce stress. Having  hobby can help you forgetting anxiety and loneliness caused by homesickness. The important thing about hobby is that you can immerse yourself in it. Additionally, you may be able to make new friends through your hobbies. If you are having trouble finding hobby, try thinking about your favorite subjects, games, or TV shows from your childhood. This might be helpful to find something that  you can enjoy.

6.Organize the interior of your room

 If you hate coming home to your room alone or feel lonely in it, try arranging it to make you feel comfortable. If you have just started living alone, you may not be used to your room yet. If you gather your favorite furniture and interior items and make it your own space, you will be able to create a relaxing space that feels just like your family’s home.

TJC Bookstore also sells College Comfort and provides a shopping checklist as well. Shop here.

7.Don’t worry alone, talk to someone

 In addition to talking to friends and family, there is also a mental health support center for students, which offers counseling services and where you can talk about homesickness.

“Really just get out and talk to people,” Howard said. “That loneliness, can be a disease that can get worse and worse eventually. I hope no one reading this would ever get to that point, but if they do, we have counseling services.”

Counseling Services

Tracy Williams, Counselor/ Learning Specialist

Rogers Student Center Room 302, Phone 903-510-2041, Email [email protected]

Mosaic Counseling Centers of East Texas

Address: 100E.Fergusaon St, Suite 602, Tyler, TX75702, Phone 903-593-9141

They also offer E-counseling. Here is their website werelisteningeasttexas.org/ Other resources and furthermore information is on tjc.edu/counseling.

8.Have a positive outlook

Exploring local events and attractions, enjoying new experiences, and setting and achieving short-term goals will help you feel more confident, get more out of university life and ease feelings of homesickness.

“Go do something, find something you enjoy. There are lots of good walking and hiking trails around Tyler. But just find something you can share with a group,” Howard said.

Get your idea for things to do on the weekends, visittyler.com.

9.Remind yourself why you are here and your goals

“There will be discomfort and homesickness, but remembering that you are enduring those things in service of an education and future success and meaningful career can help a little,” said Clint Selman, professor of psychology. 

Remember why you came TJC to study and what your goals are.