College Tips for Dancers: Adjusting to Living Away From Home
While some dancers are accustomed to traveling for competitions, intensives, classes, and more, other dancers may be experiencing their first real bout of homesickness when they go to college. If you’re a part of the latter group, the following tips may help you with your transition as you adjust to your new life away from home.
Phone Home Often
Don’t lose touch with your friends and family while you’re away. Call or text them when you need a laugh, someone to talk to, advice, or to simply check in. Not only will hearing their voices boost your spirits, but you’ll also feel much more connected with them. At first, it may be hard to hear about what they’re doing while you’re away, but soon enough, you’ll be excited to exchange stories about your own experiences too!
Request Care Packages
Few things are more satisfying than receiving a package in the mail - especially one filled with all the things you love most. Whether it be your favorite snacks, pajamas, books or toiletries, receiving a care package from home feels like a warm hug when you need it! Remember, some of your friends at other schools may also be dealing with homesickness, so consider paying it forward by surprising them with their own care packages.
Decorate
Your first dorm room might be your first time having a home away from home. Let your decorations represent your unique style, while providing you the cozy comfort you need. Go crazy with patterns, posters, pillows, and colors. As long as you are abiding by your college’s rules, and not disrupting your roommates, you can make your very own mark in your new home by exercising your decorative, creative freedom!
Hang Up Photos
Print out (and frame, if you’re feeling fancy) your favorite pictures of your family, friends, pets, and even places you’ll miss from home. Seeing these while you’re prepping for class or after a long day will help you remember you are loved and missed. It’ll also help you feel less detached from your comfort zone.
Plan Your Visits
Sometimes, phone calls and care packages just don’t cut it. When you’re itching to see your family and friends back home, it can help to check your calendar and be able to countdown the days until your next visit. Plan your visits ahead of time so you can look forward to recharging with your loved ones. On the other hand, they can also come visit you. They’d probably love a tour of your campus and your favorite spots. This’ll help you create new memories with them, even after they leave.
Make New Friends
One of the best things about living away from home is that you will connect with people from all different backgrounds! Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to mingle. You may find that you have things in common with a fellow classmate, or your roommates become a huge part of your support system. Many of the connections you make in college will blossom into lifelong friendships.
Embrace Your New City
Living in a different place than your hometown exposes you to new experiences that many people don’t have the privilege to gain - so enjoy it! What does your location have that your hometown doesn’t? Find your favorite cafe, study spot, and park. Explore and build a bond with your new city so you don’t feel so out of place. As always, remember to stay vigilant and safe!
All-in-all, remember that each day away from home will get easier with time. Take things slowly, and use these tips to help you ease the way.