I Want to Go Home... I Think

You've read all the brochures, looked at the pictures online, talked to the people in admissions, maybe even visited campus. You are ready and excited to start boarding school. So why are you feeling lonely, overwhelmed, distracted and maybe even tearful?

Homesickness can be a normal response to seperation from our family and friends. Most of us have, or will, experience homesickness at some point in our lives. For some it may happen as children the first time we spend the night away from home, or go away to camp; or we may be older leaving for school or getting married and leaving home for the first time. 

Feeling homesick is a natural reaction to a variety of stressors which may include some 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 vs. a single-family home;
• Cultural differences;
• Less or more rules than experienced previously;
• Changes in climate.

The good news is that homesickness is usually temporary and once new relationships and coping skills are established it will diminish in time. There are a few things that can be helpful during this transitional time:

• Avoid being alone for extended periods of time;
• Get involved in an activity you enjoy or explore a variety of new activities;
• Find someone else who is new and reach out to them;
• Volunteer;
• Set a schedule of contact with family and freinds and then stick to it;
• Establish daily goals vs. long-term goals;
• Get plenty of rest!

The faculty and staff at Darlington want your high school years to be memorable ones, full of friendships and wonderful, learning experiences. Together we can work to make Darlington your home away from home.