Not every student looks forward to going home for summer break. This can be for many reasons and it is ok for you to feel this way. A few strategies can help you manage how you feel about this.
Many students feel obligated to return home, even when they don’t want to. It is important to remember that you are an adult and are entitled to make your own choices. Take time to think about the following:
Not only was I worried about being alone, but I was worried about leaving my flat and friends I had made at uni. I had finally managed to adjust to uni life, and going home would change all of that.”
It may help to think about who you are going home for and who, if anyone, it will help. It may also help to think about the potential consequences of either choice (going home or not), and how likely those consequences actually are.
Student life can be very pressurised and in these circumstances it can be easy to lose some perspective. Ask yourself – will being at home be as bad as I think? Are my fears realistic?
Try to work through the consequences in a calm way and to be honest with yourself about what the likely outcomes are. It may help to talk to someone else about how you feel.
If you are worried about a specific issue it may be useful to discuss this with your family, before you return home - if you feel this is possible. Sometimes, addressing areas of conflict can help resolve issues and strengthen your relationships. You can find advice on how to approach this in our articles on conflict.
If, after thinking it through, you feel you should still return home, even though you don’t want to, see if there are ways in which you can reduce the impact the break has on you.
Could you:
Even if you eventually decide that you have to stick to your original plans, being clear about why you are going home, can help you feel more in control and can make it easier to survive the holiday period.
If you do go home, it is important that you look after yourself while you are there. Try to find time for yourself and give yourself small rewards along the way. Keep in mind the reasons you decided to go home – you may find they help to motivate you.
Finally remember that the summer vacation is a relatively short break – you will be returning to university soon, ready to start the new term.
