5. Getting used to your new environment
Don't underestimate the stresses associated with a new place, new people and new routines. Give yourself some time to adjust.
Tip #1: Many students who were popular in high school feel a sense of loss and confusion when they enter a new environment where they feel insignificant initially. Give yourself a chance to get settled. Smile at everyone. Refer to Chapter 12.1.
Tip #2: The sooner you get to know other students and develop a sense of belonging in your new community, the sooner you will be able to focus on enjoying life as a university student.
Tip #3: Check out what you can do in the local community, such as attending poetry readings or listening to local bands.
Tip #4: Attend meetings and talks on campus to broaden your thinking.
Tip #5: Go to a varsity football, hockey or basketball game with a couple of other newcomers. A varsity sporting event on campus can be lots of fun!
6. Homesickness
If you are living away from home, you will probably feel homesick. For some the feeling is minor. For others it can be a larger issue. Minor feelings of homesickness arise because the familiar has been replaced with the unknown, which causes most people some level of anxiety. You have probably left behind some very special people and you may miss them more than you anticipated. You may also feel you have fewer friends than you are used to, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. This can be unsettling if you usually feel confident and in charge of your life.
Tip #1: Many other students will be feeling the same way you do. Reach out to them, smile, and share your concerns and anxieties.
Tip #2: If you find you are having difficulty with homesickness, go to Health Services to discuss how you feel. They are there to help you.
Tip #3: Explore the local community to get a sense of your new environment. Invite another newcomer to join you. Go to the local tourist office so you can get a good sense of what's in town.
Tip #4: Get involved in campus activities as soon as you have a sense of your time commitments for academics.
Tip #5: Remember that sleep deprivation, hangovers, and insufficient nutrition will magnify the things that cause you to worry. Give yourself the best shot at adjusting to your new environment by looking after your health.
Tip #6: Keep in touch with family and friends back home, but make sure you direct your energy towards saying hello to someone new every day.
Tip #7: Give yourself some time to settle in. Resist the urge to go home every other weekend. Pick a date, like Thanksgiving, and look forward to seeing your friends and family then. Most students have very positive experiences if they give themselves the time to settle in and make new friends. New friends don't replace old friends; they are additional friends.
Go to www.universitymatters.ca to view a complete index of the book University Matters.
Excerpted from University Matters by Sharron McIntyre, MBA and Michael McIntryre, PhD, CA. Copyright 2005 by Sharron D. McIntyre and Michael L. McIntyre. Excerpted, with permission by Creative Bound International Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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