Confessions from a Homesick College Student
As a college student, you get asked “How is school going?” at least five times a week. Honestly, I am grateful that people are concerned about me and my education, but it sometimes feels like a loaded question. I always kindly reply with “oh, it’s good,” but what I really want to say is “I AM DROWNING! I CRY ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I’M STRESSED, BUT IT’S FINE I’M FINE.”
Most college students feel this way because we constantly juggle school work, class time, part time jobs, a normal amount of sleep and a social life. Just the stress of being in the middle of exam week will make you rethink this college thing a dozen times.
“Class, homework, and exams.. OH MY”
I dread school because I know, back at home, mama is going to make fried pork chops with mash potatoes and corn; and daddy is going to throw a steak on the grill with twice baked mashed potatoes in the oven (I obviously love potatoes).
I know my mama, daddy, brother and boyfriend are going to go to dinner while I am going to be stuck eating some frozen pizzas. I miss being 10 minutes away from a hug from my boyfriend, and I miss his family also. The worst is when you get a FaceTime call because they are all together and his 6-year-old niece just missed you and wanted to say hey.
I dread not being at church every time the doors open. During the summer, you get so used to seeing all of your church peeps. You go from seeing them anywhere from 3-7 times a week to seeing them possibly once a week. It really is tough, when that's where you love to be. It is even harder when someone texts you and asks you to volunteer in the nursery, and you want to help, but you also know you can't because you have an exam tomorrow.
While being a college student, you feel that everyone is moving on without you. You are making great memories on your own but feel like you are missing so much. It is so hard to be in one place when your heart is in another. I personally made the decision to stay at a school an hour away from everything I have ever known because I feel like it helps me grow (and because my credits are already pretty screwed up).
I knew coming to school I would struggle with being away because I am such a homebody. However, choosing the right roommates became one of the best decisions I have made so far in college. I grew up with both girls, and we have been best friends for forever. Living together and decorating our apartment this year to make it feel like ourown little home has made being at college so much better.
I still get homesick every so often but when I do, I find myself listening to Lauren Daigle and reading The Word before going into full on crying session and wanting to go home. God has a way of giving us peace, doesn’t He?
If you are in a season of life like me where everything and everyone you have ever known is miles away, remember that God is always just a prayer away. My Dad has always taught me that when you feel the world around you is falling apart all you have to do is call the name of Jesus.
- Caroline