For some of us, we can’t wait to go back to school in a few weeks. A countdown has been in the back of our minds ever since our summer jobs or internships began. However, for others, there is a feeling of dread, an anxiety you could call it, about leaving home for the school year. I find myself having a mix of both. The nerd in me can’t wait to start learning again, pick up my books, and see if my teachers match up to what was written on Rate My Professor. The homesick side knows how much I will miss my dogs, my parents and of course my high school friends - not in that order, of course. And real food. And reading just for the heck of it, not because it’s required. Besides these things, I think everyone gets that uneasy feeling when he or she leaves home again, whether it be of excitement or nervousness. Here are some tips that I use to help handle the anxiety side of me:

1. Mark visits home on your calendar.

There are plenty of weekends where students go home and campus is practically a dead zone as if a zombie apocalypse has just occurred. Labor Day, although it is the second weekend of school and probably one you will want to stick around for, Columbus Day, which is a big one, and then we head right into Thanksgiving Recess.

2. Don’t pack too early.

This is a biggie for me. The second I go school supply shopping or packing, I get really nervous and feel like move-in day is right around the corner. Enjoy what you have left of the summer and procrastinate. Pack two days before, not two weeks.

3. When your friends from home go back to school earlier than you do, keep busy.

Some colleges have a much sooner start date than Providence College does, so your friends from home may be leaving. Don’t get summertime sadness, though; use this time to see your family or do anything that will distract your mind from going to that anxious state.

4. Make a mini-rest of the summer bucket list.

This one really helped me; write out a list of things you’d like to do before you go back to school. It can be as simple taking a bike ride or collecting shells on the beach. You will be so focused on making those activities happen that you won’t even think about going back to college. Another tip: I find that doing these items with another person is also helpful and the more specific, the better.

5. Check your school email ahead of time.

Trust me on this one; you should check your school email consistently. Just once a week will do. Once you get back, you will be bombarded with what seems like an endless amount of messages, and it could give you a mini-panic attack. It is so much better if you receive emails little by little.

6. When ordering textbooks, pick them up at the store.

This one might seem weird, but I used to have my schoolbooks sent to my house rather than pick them up at the store. Why? So I didn’t have to wait in that horrid, infinite line on the first day back. However, I found that when my textbooks arrived at my front door, I did not like it at all, and it actually acted as a reminder of how close school was to starting. Instead, pick them up at the store and go get them at a really off time, like when everyone is getting ready to go out, or early in the morning, so 8 a.m. or p.m.

7. Order. Basketball. Tickets.

I am now speaking to those who are absolutely obsessed with PC basketball like I am. My freshman year, I went to 13 out of 15 games, and the only reason I did not make the other two was because of snow dates. Basketball games (and hockey of course) are a chance to have your family come up and visit you! This is definitely something I use to help with my homesickness. It gives your parents a reason to visit, besides them missing you, and it is something you can count on when you’re feeling down.

8. Teach your parents how to FaceTime or Skype.

If they do not know how to already, teach them how to call you on FaceTime. Seeing the faces of your mom, dad or whoever else you want to call will help tremendously. It is also quite comical to see your parents’ faces super close to the screen and them having no idea how big their heads actually look.

9. Learn your mailbox number and combination.

This will be my junior year at Providence College, and I still do not know either of these. However, care packages have been a huge help to some of my friends who experience homesickness. Getting a box of homemade chocolate chip cookies will do wonders to your anxiety. I personally have them sent as actual packages now, since I can never get my mailbox open; but either way, it works.

10. Try to get a PC parking pass.

When I tell you I checked my email every day for the parking pass notification, I am not exaggerating. For freshman and sophomores this one is not much of a help, so get the Amtrak app. Although the train isn’t ideal, it is a great source of transportation to get home. Keep the schedule on your phone at all times so whenever you are feeling homesick, you know it is right there for you to use it. Upperclassman, get a parking pass. I cannot tell you how convenient it is to have your car on campus. I briefly had it on campus last year due to winter session employment, and it was spectacular. Talk to Carol in Safety and Security, she might seem scary, but she is actually a total sweetheart.