5 Tips on How to Manage Homesickness During Your Postgraduate Degree

This blog has been written by Swikriti, a Masters student ambassador from The University of Edinburgh.

#1 Call your people

Stay connected with friends, family, and relatives. Apart from immediate family, it can be hard to stay in touch with everyone back home. Be strategic — schedule online meetings! After missing each other five consecutive times, my best friend sent me a Zoom meeting invite. It felt silly at first, but we made it a monthly tradition. You’d be surprised at how a short call or a quick catch-up session with your loved ones can transform your mood, helping you to feel grounded and reminding you that you’re not alone.

#2 Find your student and cultural community

Building a community or engaging with existing student groups is essential. For me, it was a combination of my university accommodation, my flat mates, people from the same university clubs, and my part-time job. Everyone is going through similar experiences and sharing your journey with peers can provide immense comfort.

Join clubs, attend local events, and participate in study groups to create a sense of belonging. I joined the hiking club, and every weekend we explored different trails around the city. Not only did it help me stay active, but I also met some of my closest friends there.

Connect with your cultural niche too. Participate in cultural events, festivals, and gatherings that resonate with your background. Edinburgh has a thriving cultural community, and I often invited friends from other backgrounds to join in with me at these events as well. We held potlucks where everyone brought a dish from their culture, and we were able to talk about our own history, traditions, and food.

#3 Travel, travel, travel

Explore your new surroundings as much as you can. Travelling helps you appreciate the beauty and opportunities your new location offers, turning your homesickness into a sense of adventure. Whether it’s a weekend getaway to a nearby town, or a day trip to a local museum, these little adventures can make your new place feel more like home. I remember taking a spontaneous trip to Loch Lomond with a few friends. We planned it on a whim, and it ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of my life as it was in the heart of Scotland’s freezing winter, and my first ever cold dip experience!

#4 Get physical

Engage in physical activities like hiking, running marathons, or even dancing at parties! Physical exercise releases endorphins which can significantly boost your mood and help combat feelings of homesickness. Plus, it's a great way to meet new people and make friends. I joined the university gym and started attending dance classes. The high-energy environment and the friendly faces helped me feel more integrated into my new community.

If you’re shy or feel intimidated by the thought of trying something new, you can start by being an observer. Attend a match, a class, or any competition that interests you, and just watch. Soft launch yourself into the activity — it’s okay to take small steps.

#5 Check in on yourself and be present

Take time for self-reflection. Time away from home teaches you to appreciate what you have and helps you develop a deeper sense of gratitude. I started keeping a journal where I would write down my thoughts and feelings. Looking back at those entries now, I can see how much I’ve grown and how those challenging times shaped me.

Homesickness often stems from living in the past. Remind yourself that this feeling will pass, and focus on making the most of your time and creating new memories. Understand that what you’re going through is completely normal and allow yourself to experience these emotions. Like a butterfly leaving its cocoon, you’ll bloom into your own beautiful self. Trust the process!

By following these tips, you can manage homesickness and make the most of your postgraduate experience. Remember, this is a unique opportunity for personal and academic growth. Embrace it fully and cherish the journey. You’ll look back and realise that these experiences have made you stronger.

You may also like...