By Kaitlin Thaney

Leaving home, whether for the first time or the fifteenth, can be very stressful. Separation anxiety, a companion to homesickness in most cases, often adds to the everyday toil and worries of a college student, most particularly for freshmen. In a study by the University of Wisconsin, separation anxiety was said to be a “natural response to the sense of loss of comfort and familiarity of home.” The study also said that increased stress levels often heighten feelings of homesickness. “The farther away or more miles you’d have to travel — people going over three to 400 miles to [go] home — the greater the feeling of homesickness [would be],” said Chris Shaw, a freshman pharmacy major. “Well, I never have had a problem with homesickness or separation anxiety because I am so close to home, only being an hour away and all,” said Liam Hales, a middler journalism major. “I would say there are two ways to overcome either of these problems, one, people should be surrounding themselves with good friends and try to have fun, but at the same time keep contact with those back home or two, these kids just have to grow up and stop babying themselves, because they are going to do nothing but hurt themselves in the long run.” Home cooking will always be missed and that soft bed at home but there are ways to overcome the hometown blues and get in the swing of things. “Try to stay in with as many people that you feel comfortable with, people you can confide in and trust,” Shaw said. Listed below are some additional suggestions to help keep a student’s mind off missing that home miles away.

1. Admit that you have separation anxiety. The sooner the student recognizes that there is a problem, the sooner they can work on getting over it. 2. Increase familiarity with the new surroundings. Walk around, ask questions, and bring a friend. The student will feel more in control if they have a better sense of where things are. 3. Schedule times to go home, but do not rely on going home every weekend. Often times, planning visits home stops impulsive trips. 4. Be open to socializing and making new contacts. Making new friends can help make a new environment more welcoming. 5. Accept that mistakes will be made.. 6. Get involved. Find out what events are planned on campus and off. Adjusting to college life takes time. The student should find something that they enjoy to do. Chances are, Northeastern has an organization that appeals to their personal interests. If not, stop by the Student Activities Office and ask how to start a new club. 7. Break larger tasks into parts. This helps to keep the student from feeling overwhelmed. 8. Visit somewhere different. Go out and explore. 9. Do not be afraid to seek help. Talk to a counselor at Lane Health Center, a professor, an older sibling, or a friend. They may have some advice that pertains to the anxiety experienced. If they do not, they may be able to name another person to get in touch with. 10. Deck out the room with pictures from home, favorite posters, things that make the room more friendly. Having familiar items around can help ease anxiety and tension. 11. Keep a journal that the student can reflect on in the future. 12. Seek new opportunities. The more eager the student is to go out and try something new, the more comfortable they will feel in the new surroundings.