How to Acclimate From Out of State

Coming to college is a very difficult transition, no matter which way you slice it. You’re finally on your own, essentially in the real world with a safety net, as I like to look at it. Parents are no longer telling you what to do and you are fully responsible for your actions.

Coming from out of state can add an extra level to the difficulty. Right off the bat you do not share what a majority of the students have in common, assuming you go to a state school like I did. I didn’t know anyone coming to Ohio State, so I was completely on my own once my mom and dad dropped me off. However, all the excitement of finally being in Columbus and, really, just being at college overshadowed any feelings of homesickness I may have had.

Slowly but surely, though, with the newness of college beginning to wear off, the feeling of missing home, family, and friends is starting to creep in. This homesickness made me start to think: what are some ways to avoid this homesickness?

I think it’s key to stay in close touch with both family and friends from home. I’ve constantly been texting my friends from high school, seeing how they’re enjoying college and what is new with them. So even though they are five, six, or eight hours away, or perhaps on the other side of the country, you don’t feel as far because you talk so much.

            Also (this one sounds a bit odd), I’ve been keeping up with the happenings of both Nashville and the state of Tennessee as a whole. This has helped me to feel like I’m really not that far from home at all. Following both the UT Volunteers and Tennessee Titans has made me seem close to those events. In addition to sports, my dad has constantly been sending me articles from the Tennessean with stories he thinks I may have an interest in. Something about both sports and local stories makes me question if I’ve really left Nashville at all.

I don’t mean that you should remain too attached to your home. The quickest way to make your new home feel like home is to meet people. The quickest way to meet people is to go to meetings for clubs and get involved! At least at OSU, there are so many ways to get involved in the school that you almost have to make an effort not to be involved!

In conclusion, never forget where you came from and always have a place you can call home– however, don’t be afraid to expand on that while at your new home!