Most university students have no choice but to live away from home. For many, it’s the first time.
No two experiences are alike, and we all handle living away from home differently. Most learn greater independence is required to get a degree and flourish at work.
Growing up in Woodstock, a small community about an hour from Fredericton, my family visited the city often. So, my familiarity with it has made living away from home easier.
Many friends visit home quite regularly, some go home every two weeks. As close as I am to home, I’ve only returned three times. I can’t afford to go home every weekend, and I’m content with spending most weekends here.
However, I miss home and crave home-cooked meal. Many of us miss our families and our own beds enough that we get this terrible feeling coming over us, homesickness, when we realize that life is no longer the same.
Choosing to embrace living away from home as part of becoming an adult. I cope with missing home by focusing more on how much I am enjoying it here.
The hours I worked during the summer also meant I was often only home to sleep, which allowed me to develop the independence that I want and need.
Knowing many of my close friends are in a similar situation always helps, too. Some are even further from home than me and visit less often. Many don’t own a car, another luxury I have that makes things less overwhelming.
I also have relatives who live less than 10 minutes away from STU. It’s comforting to know they’re a phone call away in an emergency. I make every effort to visit them knowing they are willing to help me if necessary and they, like my parents, always want to know I’m okay.
I call home at least once a week, and I texted my brother and mother regularly earlier in the semester until I realized how fast it drains the credit on my phone.
Those of you who really miss home, Christmas is only a few weeks away. Most of us will spend the holidays at home catching up with old friends and family and doing some much-needed relaxing. I may not feel homesick as essay season gets underway, but going home for Christmas will be exciting.
