Thursday 26-08-2021 - 16:07

 

Moving away to university - leaving behind the familiar - is a big change for everyone and it's almost unavoidable during your first year at university.

 

What is homesickness?

Homesickness is a feeling of stress or anxiety caused by separation from people and places that you know. Homesickness strikes almost everyone at some point in life- whether you're a home or international student.

Here are some tips to help you deal with homesickness from a Manchester Met Alumnus

 

Find new social environments & leave your accommodation often

Relocation breaks up your social network, which means you’re left without your usual social role. I know finding new social opportunities is easier said than done, but that is why you've got the The Union.

There’s a society for almost any topic you fancy, and if there isn't, then you can make your own, and lead your society. Freshers fair is the place to find your ideal society, and you can also find out all about them on our website.

 

The more comfortable habits you build for yourself within the community, the better. This will help you build attachments to Manchester, and start seeing it as yours.

If anything, your room is where you sleep and get changed. Everything else, you can do outside. On and off-campus, there are so many places you can visit to study or meet people.

You can:

• Go to the Man Met Library,
• A public library like John Rylands, or central library.
• Book a room at the Union. (I did this once for a Taylor Swift listening party in meeting room 8)
• Union Cafe
• Your faculty's cafe
• Grano cafe

 

If its sunny, All Saints Park is a great place close to uni to relax and work.

And when you’re not studying, get to know the city! There are so many free activities for you to engage with, read our recommendations for fun days out in and around the city.

 

Find ways to feel connected to home

There’s nothing wrong with being attached to your home and friends. Remember they’re still there for you and probably miss you too.

To keep this connection strong, you can:

• Have familiar things around you that have personal meaning, such as photographs or ornaments.
• Invite a friend from home to visit you. Playing the role of host will take you to a place of ownership.
• Go home over Christmas. You will probably realise how you have changed without even noticing.

 

Body movement is key

As well as being good for your health it can be a way of meeting people. At The Union, we have 40+ sports teams you can join, it gives you a new environment from your bedroom and allows you try something fun and new. On top of that, Sugden Gym is just next to campus and they have special student deals! I know you always hear this, but you lose nothing by trying it once. You don't have to be good at them to participate. Take it from me, I joined hockey in my last year and it is one of the best decisions I ever made.

Hope these tips are useful, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, MMU have a team of advisers who can offer support and signpost you to the correct places.

The Advice Centre is where you’ll find a listening ear and experienced, trained staff offering specialist, student-centred advice. It's also free and totally independent.