by Walter Abrone

Created on: September 10, 2009   Last Updated: September 13, 2009

College is one of the most important times in a young adult's life and a lot of pressure is put on some young adults when they leave the place they called home to go live on a college campus. You can not cure home sickness, but you can ease it in a number of ways.

Positive reinforcement is a really good way to help a young adult cope with the new environment he or she now resides. Remember when telling about events to them not to say things like you should have been there. This makes them feel like they are missing something. When speaking with them try to let them know you are proud of them being away in college and not that you miss them too much, because as much as you are missing them they are missing you. Ask them how things are going get them to open up about their problems and fears so you can do your best to counsel them with positive and encouraging words.

Give them a piece of home away from home, send them some of their personal belongings. Make home videos congratulating them and encouraging them. If all else fells this will give them the drive to push harder to stay in school and graduate. This can also be a negative thing if you try to hard, trying to hard could push them right back home. Overdoing something most times turns out bad, but sometimes surprise them by going out to visit them on campus when you know they are not doing anything and take them a gift that you believe they would like. Yes some young adults will feel embarrassed, they will also feel loved and have the confidence to push on a little while longer.

The best tactic for easing home sickness may be trying to convince them nothing has changed since they have been gone. A lot of homesickness that occurs with young adults is that feeling that they are missing out on something or the feeling of security they have when they are at home with their parents. This is best summed up on the discovery channel when you see a little lion cub grow into adolescence and his mother pushes him to learn to fend for itself. Same applies for this situation you have to give them that security blanket so they will know they are going to be ok.

Freshman year in college is maybe the most difficult for most and most of the ones who get through that year do so with the help from their close friends and family.

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