Being away for college can be both difficult and challenging. You can have times where you feel like home is where you belong and you have no idea why you even left home. There will be points where you miss certain things about home that you never thought you would miss. Even if you do miss home there are plenty of ways to make college feel like home. Here are my six things I do to make college feel like home.

1. Watch you favorite TV shows.

If there is a show that you and your mom or you and your dad watched, then figure out a way to watch them at college. If you ever feel homesick then spend a few hours watching your favorite television show. I can promise you it will make you feel better. Even a simple television show can turn a homesick day into a better day.

2. Hang out with some friends from back home.

Not everyone is lucky enough to go to a school with people from back home, but if you do then take full advantage of it. Meet up with them for coffee or just to talk. I know that it may seem like you want to branch out and make new friends, but I can promise you when you are homesick they can quickly brighten you up. Being with them can bring you back home and make you feel like you are there.

3. Eat your favorite foods.

For a lot of people food is the biggest thing you miss from home, and it’s hard to get good home-cooked style foods while you are away. But there are foods you can eat to make you feel a little closer to home. Bring your favorite snacks to school with you and when you are feeling homesick pull them out and nibble on them. Your favorite foods can turn your whole day around and make you feel a little closer to home.

4. Play some video games.

This is probably more of a guy thing, but bringing a video game system to college is not only a good way to make friends, but also a good way to get over being homesick. I know that whenever I feel a little homesick I like to play video games to make me feel a little better. It helps me feel like I am back home in front of the television playing my favorite games.

5. Just sleep it off.

Sometimes sleep can be your best friend and it can be your antidote to homesickness. Whenever I feel like I want to be at home I crawl into bed and sleep it off to get that feeling off my mind. Sleep gives you a boost of energy that can help clear your mind and get rid of your homesickness to make you feel a hundred times better.

6. Phone home.

Calling home is a great way to get rid of your homesickness. Calling your parents and telling them how things are going is a great way to get rid of homesickness. Plus, they would probably love to hear from you.