They were so excited to head off (or back!) to college, and then: homesickness.  If you have a homesick student, they’re not alone.  And neither are you!  Below are some tips for identifying homesickness and supporting your student through it.

You may have a homesick student if:

• You get frequent calls or texts, especially when your student is calling or texting home in place of making new friends or participating in on-campus activities.
• Your student is more emotional than usual.  This might include more frequent or intense fluctuations in mood.
• Your student feels isolated.  Homesickness can cause some students to detach from roommates, classmates, or the even entire college experience, making connection and integration especially important during this time.

If you have a homesick student, these can help:

• Encourage self-care.  Encouraging students to exercise and do things that make them feel good, like watching a favorite show, participating in a favorite hobby, or connecting with new people through a student club or organization can help them take a break from homesickness.  It also teaches coping skills!
• Stay positive.  While it is important to validate students’ feelings, it is also important to remind students of all the reasons that they chose go away to college.  Express confidence in them, and remind them that these feelings won’t last forever! 
• Step away rather than stepping in (even if it’s tough to do).  Some parents’ first instinct might be to call their homesick student throughout the day or invite their homesick student to return home every weekend.  While well-intentioned, these can sometimes make homesickness worse.

Self-Help Resources for your student: We have compiled a list of common concerns that might come up during your student's time at GVSU. See our self-help directory so that you may refer your student to it. 

Online Mental Health Screening for your student: The University Counseling Center offers access to Online Screening Tools. Please Note: These tests are meant to be indicators only and do not replace a full assessment by a qualified clinician. 

Mental Health Outreach and Events: Your student may attend a number of mental health-focused outreach events, including national mental health screening days. Urge your student to get involved by visiting our events calendar.