Starting college is most thrilling chapter of student's life - new friendships, new habits, and a chance to become independent. On the contrary, however, first-year students who study in a new places such as IES’s Management College and Research Centre (IES MCRC), a top management college in Mumbai, might feel overwhelmed by the change and thus, develop homesickness.
Missing home is completely normal - your parents, your childhood buddies, and even the places where you used to hang out the most. It should not be interpreted that you are not prepared for college life just because homesickness has affected you; it is nothing but your gradual adjustment to the new environment. The bright side is that one can use healthy coping strategies to not only survive but to flourish in the new place.
Homesickness is a psychological reaction to being away from one's dear and near ones. It most frequently shows up as sadness, loneliness, or anxiety. Students who move far from home, particularly those who enrol in MBA or PGDM programs, may face such a situation during their first few weeks at the new school, as they will be the most affected when adjusting to new schedules, academic and social pressures, etc.
At its core, homesickness is about missing the comfort and stability of home - but overcoming it can be a powerful part of your personal growth as a management student.
Setting up a daily routine can help you to organise your day and bring some stability to your new life. Always go to classes, take part in campus activities, and set aside some time for physical activity or favorite things to do. The presence of a regular routine reduces tension and makes you feel in control.
It can be very comforting to talk to your family or friends back home, but it is advisable that you do not spend all your free time online. Limit video calls and, instead, concentrate on making new friends on campus. IES MCRC encourages students to join clubs, take part in cultural events, and participate in group work - such activities promote friendship and a feeling of community.
Personalise your dorm or apartment. Bring in pictures, favorite food, or little things that can remind you of the place you came from. A warm, welcoming, and familiar atmosphere has the potential to boost your spirits and help you remain rooted.
You are not the only one - lot of first year students go through homesickness at some point or another. Share your feelings with your classmates, seniors, or even mentors. IES MCRC faculty and support staff are easy to approach and always willing to lend an ear. There are times when just revealing what one is going through can have a significant impact.
Mumbai is a vibrant and dynamic city with a rich cultural life and lots to offer. Go and check out the local coffee shops, beach areas, and museums. By exploring the city more and more, the feeling of being a stranger in your new surroundings will soon fade away, and soon your new city will start to feel like home.
The university experience goes through a lot of changes, like new subjects, new friends, and new demands. The main thing is to learn to adapt. Welcome the changes instead of opposing them. Being adaptable is not just a fast way of settling down but also a way of preparing you for the future. A future where the business world is full of changes and where flexibility and quick decisions are the most wanted traits.
The moment you leave home, distractions can easily find their way to you. Create weekly academic goals that are small and easy to achieve - submit an assignment ahead of time, participate in class with confidence, or read more than is required.Concentrated efforts will boost up not only your confidence but also remind you why you are here: to learn, grow, and to be part of the successful career built through your MBA or PGDM journey.
Look at difficulties like missing home - as opportunities to acquire knowledge. A growth mindset is to think that one's skills can be improved through hard work and practice. At IES MCRC, students are urged to develop this attitude - to look at every challenge as a lesson, every discomfort as a sign to change, and every new thing as a step towards success.
Learning to adjust to new surroundings is one of the key management skills. By passing through the difficult period of being away from home, one gains emotional strength, develops self-knowledge, and learns how to communicate with others - traits that every future leader needs.
At the IES’s Management College and Research Centre (IES MCRC), students are always supported both in their professional and personal development. The campus is an oasis of support that makes you strong enough not only to win in the academic arena but also to handle life's and business's challenges in the same way.
Experiencing homesickness is part of the road - it is an acknowledgment of how much you love and miss the people and places you have left behind. Yet, soon enough, with time, patience, and the right attitude, you will groove and start to relish the freedom and the chances that college life offers.
