Homesick?
It's common to miss your family, friends and familiar surroundings when you are in a new environment.
And if that new environment is UCSD, it’s par for the course. Adjusting to a hectic schedule, managing the wide variety of social and academic pressures, and even finding healthy food can require a lot of effort. It is perfectly natural that you would crave the comforts of home, but getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow.
Give yourself time. Adapting to a new environment is a gradual process, and you determine your own rate of travel. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Explore, engage, discover, and delight in the journey. You’ll find things you love and things you don’t…and along the way, develop self-esteem, build skills, and sharpen your unique talents and abilities. It’s one of those “win-win” situations.
Explore your interests. There is so much to do at UCSD that even if you spend the rest of your life here, you couldn’t exhaust your options. There are over 500 student organizations on campus alone—social, cultural, educational, spiritual, political, recreational, philanthropic, and more! How about the Dan Simmons Comedy Club of Higher Learning? Archery? Random Acts of Kindness Foundation? Student Sustainability Collective? Greek life? Infinite adventures await you. Visit the Center for Student Involvement for more information.
Talk to others. Sometimes a pep talk from a friend or a quick phone call to Mom can make all the difference. Your family is a source of support and encouragement: a place to draw strength from as you lay new foundations here at UCSD. Although certain members of the family may drive you a bit nuts, or your roommate keeps farting in the car, remember that the people who answer the phone when you call and show up to celebrate your birthday are an amazing emotional resource. Psychologist Edward Diener, a.k.a. Dr Happiness, says, “It is important to work on social skills, close interpersonal ties and social support in order to be happy.”
While it may seem like everybody knows what they are doing except you, this simply isn’t true. UCSD is an enormous university with thousands of new students every quarter. In fact, every single person on this campus was new at some point! It is a place of perpetual adjustment and re-adjustment. So speak up. Ask questions (from a simple “How are you?” to the more advanced “Where did you get that iced coffee?”). Build connections with those around you. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet people with similar academic interests, shared hobbies and passions, or a good hangout buddy.
Make yourself comfortable, wherever you are: dorm rooms, apartment homes, lounges, or libraries. Be at home in your own skin. (Nobody can stop you except yourself!) For additional re-enforcements, consider favorite shirts, shoes, socks, underwear, a special necklace, book, journal, key-chain, favorite foods, and/or music. Find a spot that's easy to access and make it yours. Go there to study, read, play games, or just wiggle your toes.
Utilize resources such as Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Their friendly counselors are always available to lend an ear or offer encouragement, tips, and advice.
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