Residing away from their parents for the first time, students long to be in a familiar and friendly environment again.  

They may encounter disagreements with their roommate or have difficulty adjusting to living in a small space. 

Numerous freshmen also miss their friends or activities that they participated in during high school.

Specifically, Indiana University of Pennsylvania reports that at the beginning of each semester, the number of individuals who experience homesickness totals 15 to 20 percent. 

Although first-time college students may feel homesick during the semester, a multitude of solutions exist that can help freshmen combat feelings of loneliness and begin embracing college life.  

One way to overcome homesickness includes joining a club or organization on campus.  

Ashland University offers a vast array of clubs for students with varying interests.  

For example, these groups range from Campus Activities Board and volunteer organizations, to sports teams and sororities or fraternities.  

Becoming a member of an organization will help keep students’ minds off of their memories of home and childhood friends.  

In addition, campus organizations provide freshmen with opportunities to meet new people and cultivate relationships with other students who have similar interests or hobbies. 

“Getting around people you’re comfortable with helps,” sophomore September Long said. 

Besides engaging in these methods to acclimate to college life, freshmen can still be connected to family and friends back home. 

They could call or Skype their parents, siblings or people from high school.  

Students can also fill their room with memories and mementos from home to cope with these emotions.  

“Looking at pictures always works,” sophomore Hallie Carrino said. 

Today’s social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter further enhance communications in long-distance relationships.  

A heartwarming conversation with a family member or a childhood friend can brighten a student’s day and make surviving college easier in the long run.

“Everyone feels homesick at some point,” sophomore Mariah Halleck said. “Your family will always be there for you.”

Halleck also said that keeping track of how many days or weeks until going home helps to overcome these feelings. 

In addition, new students should avoid spending too much time in their dorm room. 

By staying in their room, they could miss out on chances to form new friendships. 

At the beginning of the year, freshmen can keep their door open or make an extra effort to introduce themselves to other people living down the hallway. 

Another suggestion entails avoiding trips back home every weekend.  

Although many freshmen may want to spend Saturday and Sunday with their family, AU hosts a variety of events and activities on the weekend.  

These include football games and other sporting events, as well as entertainment such as music and movie nights.  

Students can also ask around and find out their friends’ weekend plans.  Many people go to movies, shopping or restaurants while others simply spend time relaxing on campus.  

Ultimately, freshmen should take advantage of the opportunities college offers rather than feeling homesick. 

“It’s a really fun time and you just have to make the most of it,” Halleck said. “It really does go fast, so just enjoy it while you have the time.” 

Long said that freshmen should remember that their family is just a phone call or a visit away.

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder,” Long said. “You’ll be back home soon.”