According to NUS 50-70% of UK students feel homesick in the first few weeks at university. Equally, some students may inititally feel adjusted for the first 4-6 weeks and get homesick when the "reality" of being at university sinks in. The information on this page is intended to provide general information and coping strategies. 

Symptoms:

• Feeling teary

• Trouble sleeping

• Change in appetite

• Feeling nauseous and dizzy

• Lack of concentration

• Feeling depressed or anxious*

*this improves quickly when time spent at home

What to do:

• Get involved, the students’ association has many clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities: GCUstudents.co.uk/getinvolved. It’s one of the best ways to meet friends and will keep you busy.
• Give yourself some time to adjust and try to get into a routine.
• Make your room your own and feel like home. Get nice bedding, hang up fairy lights, put up pictures of friends and family.
• Stay in touch with friends and family but try to wait a few weeks before going home, instead ask them to visit you.
• Don’t spend all your time on social media looking for news from home.  Try to get out and explore your new surroundings and share what’s new with you instead.
• Look after your wellbeing by eating well and getting plenty of rest. Avoid drinking too much alcohol; it might have a negative impact on your mood.

Tried all of the above and still feeling homesick?

Speak to a Student Adviser.