The process of moving away from home and becoming more independent can produce stress and chaos, resulting in a frightening adjustment to life on campus.

Each student has a different method of coping. Some encourage pursuing personal endeavors.

“Get involved with something that is interesting to you,” said senior Aki Nagata. “If you find something you like, you can be distracted (from) negative feelings.”

Others like to search for a source of calmness in stressful times.

“I like to pray, because I believe that prayer makes a difference, even though it takes me a while to see the results,” said sophomore Danialle Crooks. “I have tried it, and it also gives me a sense of peace.”

Many agree that interaction with other students is crucial to a positive freshman experience, not only academically, but socially as well.

“One of the best ways of coping with homesickness is to make new friends at school,” said Larry Bates, professor of psychology at UNA. “It is critically important for college students to not only concern themselves with their studies, but to integrate their college experience with social experiences as well. (One study) found that having self-compassion was a buffer against homesickness.

“This includes being kind to oneself instead of being harshly critical, seeing one’s experience as part of the overall human experience, instead of in isolation, and mindfulness or keeping things in balance inside our heads.”

Jennifer Berry, licensed professional counselor with UNA Student Counseling Services, said homesickness is common and how often students should go home differs.

“It depends on the home environment,” she said. “If there’s an unhealthy home environment that someone’s coming from, they’re more likely not to pack their bags and run home every weekend.”

Bates recommends planning home visits as a precursor to the school semester.

“Research shows that it’s best to schedule time to go and see the family,” he said. “Knowing a family visit in on the calendar in the future can help with the homesickness now. Refraining from frequent visits to cure homesickness also allows you to develop some coping skills for homesickness in the future.”

Students and medical experts alike agree that seclusion is never the solution.

“(Don’t) stay in your room and avoid people,” Nagata said. “I believe that the more closed-minded you become, the more you start thinking negatively about your whole college experience.”

There are many activities on campus to help students stay sane during the first semester at college.

“Find a healthy support system,” Berry said. “Stay in contact with your (community adviser) and use the counseling office – that’s what we’re here for.”

Student Counseling Services, located at 555 Oakview Circle behind Kilby School, provides support for students struggling with anything from depression to anxiety, as well as advice about spirituality and gender identity.

“Just try to avoid the dash home whenever you get homesick,” Berry said. “Realize that this is a rather common phenomenon that many – if not most of us – go through as part of life’s journey.”