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Dear UGS Liaison: Homesickness

In this ongoing advice column, former UGS students who have transferred into their new major help current students navigate major exploration, the internal transfer process, and more.

Dear UGS Liaison,

Do you have any tips for managing homesickness? I haven’t seen my family or friends from my hometown this semester. How do you keep in touch with friends back home?

Sincerely,

Homesick Longhorn


Stephanie Sebo

Dear Homesick Longhorn,

Being away from home is hard. Plain and simple. You may be around people you’ve never met before or you may be in a new environment. I’m best friends with my parents and siblings, so when I first came to The University of Texas at Austin, things were tough. It didn’t make it easier that my two best friends went to different universities. In addition, I was exhilarated to begin college, but I felt guilty for being excited because I was leaving my family and friends.

Within the first few weeks of college, I figured out a schedule. I sent my parents my school schedule and we worked out times to talk on the phone and FaceTime. My best friends and I also did this. However, there were times in the semester when life was more stressful, so I couldn’t talk to them as often.

I coped by finding small families within UT who I could spend my time with. I can’t stress enough the importance of branching out and meeting new people. Going to a school where you don’t know many people is such an amazing opportunity. I still keep in contact with my friends from my hometown, but I’ve also met my absolute best friends in college.

I suggest you make a schedule and establish times to talk to family on the phone, but also join organizations where you’re in the company of people who have your interests. Now I’m a junior and I still miss home sometimes, but I have been able to build a strong, supportive community here at UT.

Good luck and Hook ‘Em!

Stephanie Sebo
Public relations and corporate communication, 3rd year

Dear UGS Liaison is an ongoing advice column in which we publish select responses from our liaisons. Do you have a question for a UGS Liaison? Email a liaison for a personal response.