Feeling homesick?

A new school year has just begun. Many students are moving into dorms, apartments or Greek housing. Students are getting their class schedules, figuring out when they can fit in work, signing up for extracurricular activities and picking up their books. The whole process can be overwhelming, but the worst is when students begin to miss their homes and become homesick.

The stress of getting back into the groove of things or getting used to new surroundings can become a serious problem for some students.

One student who is feeling a little homesick is Blake Powerton, a junior business major from Waterloo. He said he goes home about every day and has photos of his dog, Princeton, all over his room.

Nicole Niewoehner, a freshman business management major from Fredericksburg, also has pictures of friends and family in her room to make her feel less homesick. But for Niewoehner, having friends from her high school on campus makes her feel more comfortable.

If left unresolved, feeling homesick can become a large problem. If you do not take control and push through it, you may isolate yourself or even stop going to class, said Stephanie Harken, a University of Northern Iowa counselor.

"In time, students should be able to overcome (being homesick)," Harken said. "(Students should) think it through, give (themselves) time to adjust and talk to (their) parents about it."

According to Harken, there are a number of things students can do to stop feeling homesick.

First, you should acknowledge your feelings and know that "it is OK to feel this way," she said.

Then you should push yourself and realize it's only short term, she added.

Harken also mentioned that students should make it a routine to meet new people on campus. Knowing that you're not alone and that it won't last forever can help you through your first few months at UNI, she said.