The five best ways to combat homesickness while at Uni at Notts

We have all experienced that feeling of excitement, restlessness and downright relief when the time has rolled around for you to be heading up to Notts.  New friends, new places, and the first real step towards your professional career await, these emotions are all too common. When you first arrive in Nottingham, you easily marvel at the famous castle, the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Market Square and most importantly, the idea of establishments opening past 10pm.

However, moving away from home can take its toll. For some, it can be a real challenge to settle in, and growing sentiments of homesickness can soon overcome you. To name a few reasons why, the catered food is simply nothing compared to Mum or Dad’s Sunday roasts, your pet is no longer there to greet you as you walk through the door after school, and the reality is that you are now a rather small fish in a large pond. If you are among those who feel the same, then not to worry, here’s all the best ways to combat homesickness whilst a student in Nottingham.

1.Engage in activities that are familiar to you

A useful tactic to battle homesickness can be to bring parts of your home life that you cherish most and incorporate this into your everyday university routines. Social activities and societies can bring you closer to people who share similar interests, supplying a massive platform for conversations and pursuits familiar to you. Maybe the Law Society football team won’t have the same chemistry as your Sunday league team that has been battling relegation for the last four years, but it is a step forward in providing a sense of comfort to a new and unfamiliar place.

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People often say that university is the perfect opportunity to try new things, and that of course is true. Where else, other than Notts, can you join a Role-Playing and Wargames society with such ease? By all means test the waters, but don’t commit yourself to something just for the sakes of it.  Ultimately, the point is this: find things and do things that you enjoy and keep you busy enough that you find yourself thinking of home less.

2. Go to campus

As much as one might enjoy wallowing in bed, campus gives you the means to keep yourself busy, enough for you to forget about how much you miss your pet Chihuahua “Louis Vuitton” or something ridiculous. For Uni of Nottingham students, admire the views of the river and the architecture of the Trent building. For Trent students, don’t be afraid to accustom yourself to the corridors of Newton and Arkwright or take a bus to Clifton. Attend your lectures and speak to staff if you want to emulate the good ol’ days of school. Attaching yourself to the physical embodiments of university can assist in the realisation that you are now a full-fledged student, a point of pride and excitement.

3. Speak to someone

Whether this be friends, family, or members of your chosen university faculty, speaking to people can always ease your mind. More often than not, those around you can relate very easily to your struggles. After all, almost everyone in the entire existence of this universe has experienced the undergoing of change, even if that person hasn’t done so in a student capacity. Knowing that you’re not alone in your struggle can mitigate and relieve you of the loneliness associated with being far from home. Moreover, both Nottingham universities offer excellent counselling should you seek it, and do not be afraid to do so. Homesickness can affect your studies and social life immensely so do not trivialise it by ignoring it.

4. Stay connected with home

Homesickness can be avoided through establishing connections with home. Physical connections can often be a fantastic solution. Whether you live in Mansfield or the island of Jersey, a cheeky phone call to the parents or friends can bridge that gap with Nottingham. Remind them and yourself of the cheap pints at the White Hart or Sheaves to subtly acknowledge the many great things that Nottingham exhibits. It can be a useful opportunity for them to keep the encouragement up as you wade through unnerving times.

5. Don’t go home too often

Yes, this is tough to hear, and I acknowledge this deeply. Going home, having a home-cooked meal that doesn’t involve pesto pasta, and seeing your old pals again is arguably a top ten feeling. However, an important aspect of university is immersing yourself in the life attached to it, and going home too often can prevent you from getting stuck in. Resist the temptation of booking the next train by going out for some pub grub at the Rose & Crown if you’re sick of the catered meals.

Decorate your room with photos of your home to make sure it remains close to your heart, but don’t stare too long You will see, closer to the end of your tenure, that the memories of spontaneously marching to Crisis can be just as good as irritating your supply teacher in GCSE chemistry. The key takeaway is that we all know visiting home now and then is class, but truly giving Notts a chance will maximise your success in overcoming that dreaded longing for home.

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