College Dormitory Life: Curing Back to School Blues

Among life’s defining moments, the move to college ranks up there with marriage and kids. Going from the carefully planned world of bedtimes, locker breaks, and home-cooked meals to the boundless, curfew-less, self-guided universe of higher education can be scary. Luckily, the back-to-school blues aren’t incurable. Check out these ways to deal with life away from home.

Keep in Touch

Just because you are thousands of miles from home doesn’t mean you have to feel like it. E-mail and instant messaging programs are free while online phone networks such as Skype offer low-cost calls using Internet lines. For technophobes and those without computer access, calling cards and snail mail are always an option. Keeping contact with the homestead will make you feel less isolated and remind you that you may not be missing that much after all.

Get Involved

The best way to make friends is by simply being you and that means becoming actively involved in your passions. Studies show that students who are directly involved in campus clubs are less prone to depression and less likely to transfer than those who are not. Start by checking out a list of your school’s student organizations. Colleges have a larger budgets and student body than high schools; therefore, there are infinitely more extracurricular activities. If your interest isn’t offered, don’t be afraid to start a group of your own.

Stay Busy

Boredom is depression’s nasty best friend. If you find yourself with too much time, beef up your credit hours, volunteer, take a college internship, or get a part-time job. Remember that the more you’re involved in, the more people you’ll meet. With your hands busy and mind engaged, you may not have time to get homesick.