NewsUpper School
Homesickness: Some Home-Spun Remedies for Resident Students
Oct 1, 1999 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
You have read all the brochures, talked to the people in admission, visited the campus, and met some of the current students. You have tried to be prepared for the new situation. And now you have anticipated a wonderful high school experience. So why the feelings of loneliness, distraction, and maybe even tearfulness?
Homesickness can be a normal response to separation from family and friends. Most of us have, or will, experience homesickness at some point in our lives. It may happen as children the first time we spend the night away from home or go away to camp. We may be older and leaving for school or getting married and leaving home for the first time.
Feeling homesick is a natural reaction to a variety of stessors which may include some or all of the following: separation from family and friends, loss of familiar and predictable surroundings, temporary loss of familiar coping skills: telephone use, pets, music, own room, adjustment to living in a community environment versus a single family home, cultural differences, less or more rules than experienced previously, or changes in climate.
The good news is that homesickness is usually temporary, and once new relationships and coping skills are established it will begin to diminish over time.
There are a few things resident students can do to help themselves get through this transitional time. They should avoid being alone for extended periods of time, get involved in activities they enjoy or explore a variety of new activities, and find others who are new and reach out to them. They should let someone know how they feel, and not try to deal with homesickness by themselves. They should set a schedule of contact with family and friends and then stick to it. Initially, establishing daily goals (verse long range goals) would help them feel they are accomplishing meaningful things. And they should get plenty of rest.
The faculty and staff at Darlington want these high school years to be memorable ones. Students and parents, please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you in having a wonderful Darlington experience.
Homesickness can be a normal response to separation from family and friends. Most of us have, or will, experience homesickness at some point in our lives. It may happen as children the first time we spend the night away from home or go away to camp. We may be older and leaving for school or getting married and leaving home for the first time.
Feeling homesick is a natural reaction to a variety of stessors which may include some or all of the following: separation from family and friends, loss of familiar and predictable surroundings, temporary loss of familiar coping skills: telephone use, pets, music, own room, adjustment to living in a community environment versus a single family home, cultural differences, less or more rules than experienced previously, or changes in climate.
The good news is that homesickness is usually temporary, and once new relationships and coping skills are established it will begin to diminish over time.
There are a few things resident students can do to help themselves get through this transitional time. They should avoid being alone for extended periods of time, get involved in activities they enjoy or explore a variety of new activities, and find others who are new and reach out to them. They should let someone know how they feel, and not try to deal with homesickness by themselves. They should set a schedule of contact with family and friends and then stick to it. Initially, establishing daily goals (verse long range goals) would help them feel they are accomplishing meaningful things. And they should get plenty of rest.
The faculty and staff at Darlington want these high school years to be memorable ones. Students and parents, please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you in having a wonderful Darlington experience.
