The Endicott Experience, Week 6 - Diagnosing Homesickness

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

This weekly blog will document my firsthand experiences as a student at Endicott College. Additionally, I will attempt to offer advice to fellow college students or those looking to attend college down the line.

When traveling, it is not unusual for one to come down with homesickness. Like a common cold, it doesn't last long, but popping pills isn't the cure. The only cure for homesickness is time. In due time, you will grow accustomed to your new surroundings and more than likely forget all about home. Depending on how long you are there for, you might even miss it there once you eventually depart back home. Whether it be your family, friends, significant other or just your home, there will always be something that you long for most when you are away.

Unlike when you are on vacation, however, your parents aren't with you there at college. Your friends and significant other probably won't be there, either (unless they also attend there). Normally, one goes on vacation for a week or two, but being at college is much longer. Depending on how far away you live from home, you might not be home for nearly two to three months depending on when your breaks are. Thus, it is typical for someone to miss being home as they depart for college, but trust me, it is something you overcome rather quickly.

---

Personally speaking, I have been on long trips before without my parents, but it was solely for three weeks as opposed to three months. Even still, it was a preview of what was to come years later and helped prepped me for when I eventually have to leave for college, especially considering the fact the trip happened when I was only 11-years-old. I was nervous coming into college that I would be homesick more often than not since I was going to be abandoning my everyday lifestyle of being driven into school by my parents and going to my mixed martial arts classes during the week.

However, saying goodbye to my family on the day they dropped me off at college last month was actually easier than I originally anticipated. Mere minutes after they left, I was already busy with other things and completely forgot about homesick. Interestingly enough, I haven't been homesick since. Sure, the thought of not seeing your dearest friends and family for an extended period of time might be nerve-wracking at first, but there is one thing you must always keep in mind: you're going to see them again soon.

Unless you are being exiled to a faraway land where you are never going to see your friends or family again, you will be back home eventually. That is what the deal is with college. An old quote that I took a liking to not too long ago goes as follows: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." The longer you are away from your loved ones, the more you will appreciate them and the more the memorable the moment will be when you finally reunite with them.

Despite being a few hours away from where I live (I live in Connecticut, the next state over from Massachusetts), I haven't been home since I initially departed for college on the first of September. In all honesty, I have no desire to go home right now. As you could probably tell from my past posts, I have been having a blast here at college, and I have nothing waiting for me at home. Of course, there is my family and friends and whatnot, but I just saw my parents last week a part of Parent's Weekend, so I didn't have much of an interest in seeing them two weekend in a row.

The reason I bring that up is because many kids here on campus have gone home for Columbus Day weekend. Granted, both of my roommates live closer to home than I do and it was easier and quicker for them to get back, but I still had the opportunity to go home and decided against it. Having the room to myself these past few days has been pretty damn awesome and a nice change of pace, considering I haven't had more than a few minutes of privacy since I got here.

Nonetheless, always remember that being homesick is only temporary. There are countless people that are experiencing the same thing as you are, so no need to fret. Always remember that you will be back home eventually and when you do get home, it will mean so much more. Going home every other weekend will undoubtedly take away from the impact of seeing you friends and family again.