How to keep homesickness at bay as a Cardiff fresher

For some of you, the post-Freshers’ Week whirlwind can be met with anxieties about term starting and wishing you were far from your laptops, notepads and tote bags and well, let’s be honest wishing you weren’t as far from home.

No fear, here are four top tips to help deal with homesickness in the first few weeks of uni and beat the decline in morale.

Join a society and attend some ‘Give it a Go’ sessions

Despite probably coming across this in every prepping for uni TikTok or YouTube video and probably rolling your eyes as you’ve heard it so many times before, it is the most valuable thing you can do in the first few weeks of university. Going alone to these events is never ever as daunting as it sounds because everyone is there for the same reason.

So get on the Cardiff Students’ Union website and check under the “Events” tab for some “Give it a Go” sessions you may be interested in. There’s anything from Wild Swimming to Prosecco and Painting societies.

This isn’t just going to kick the homesick by helping you find something you love to do in Cardiff but also invite fresh faces into the new chapter in your life.

Lean on your existing or new friends

Again, this may sound very cliché but never underestimate the power of a good old chat with your mates.

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Whether that be with new flat/course mates; breaking the ice can be awkward at first but guaranteed everyone is equally nostalgic about carefree days at home and there’s a high likelihood they could do with a good chin-wag too. So get the kettle on, or if you can face it, get to the pub and get to know your new mates in Cardiff because the sooner the people around you feel like home, so will Cardiff.

Comfort essentials

Nothing says home quite like your favourite home-cooked meal and your favourite film just to keep that slither of home with you in Taly or wherever you may reside. I can’t promise the cooking conditions in a uni kitchen will be entirely optimal and replicate that of home but I can guarantee swapping out the obligatory pesto pasta staple for a comfort meal will sort you right out.

Pair this with your most cherished Netflix number and enjoy a well-deserved night in.

Get to know your city

Being voted not only the best but the friendliest city in the UK in 2023 by Condé Naste, you’re in safe hands during your time in Cardiff. Don’t be alarmed if someone greets you with an “alright butt?!” This is simply a Welsh hello and you will get a lot of these as everyone is so warm and always up for a chat in Cardiff.

Check out your local coffee/brunch spots, and scenic walking routes; be that person everyone asks for recommendations! Some of our favourite Cardiff spots are:

Secret Garden Cafe

Great reading spot and remember to bring a refillable cup for a cheaper coffee.

Riverside and Pontcanna Market

Sunday and Saturday markets are great for sampling a cocktail of local artisanal delights with local independent producers running stalls most weekends.

Roath Park lake

If you’ve circled Bute one too many times, swing over to Roath Park whether it be for a run or a serene stroll to de-fog your brain post lecture.

Castle Coch

Just in case anyone is a menace for medieval history or loves a period drama, Castle Coch which is about a 20 minute drive from the city centre is an ideal Sunday morning hangover cure. So go and suck up that fresh air and take a tour around the castle.

This list should keep you all busy enough to keep that homesickness at bay, persevere and push through these first few weeks because, to end on a pathetically clichéd note, these ARE the best years of your life.

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