Living away from home

If you’re starting university or college, the chances are you may be moving away from home. No matter how close or far your new home is, living away from home for the years to come can be a daunting thought.

Your usual home comforts, dinner prepared by your parents or guardians, friends from school and other familiarities will be taken over by burgeoning independence from the day you settle in. How can you reframe this experience positively without negating your feelings, and what can you do to ensure self-care during the transition from your home life?

What are the benefits of living away from home? 

Moving away from home allows you to meet new people from all walks of life. It’s also a time for self-discovery away from home comforts, which in itself, can help build character and provide a greater sense of independence. In the moment, and even in the lead-up to moving from home, you may begin to feel anxieties crop up at the prospect of living away from home. It’s a good idea to remind yourself of the numerous benefits you’ll gain from doing so:

• Newfound independence

• An opportunity to explore new places

• Having your own space to study

• Learn new skills you otherwise wouldn’t at home

• Appreciating friends and family back home

• Accessing new opportunities

What challenges do students face living away from home? 

Despite the numerous benefits of living away from home, it obviously comes with its challenges.

Financial strain

Living alone will mean learning to pay your way – from course materials to your weekly food shop. Doing this for the first time can be quite a shock to the system, particularly as it’s easy to take things for granted when most things are funded for back home. Without budgeting, you can quickly run out of money and be in a situation of financial hardship. This is especially true if you don’t have capital (such as a student loan or savings) and need to get a part-time job to supplement your income.

Adjusting to a new environment

Being in a new environment is both exciting and overwhelming. It’s not just about meeting strangers in your dorm or course, it’s also about navigating a new place, finding and accessing a new GP or dentists, adjusting to a totally new schedule and so much more.

Mental health concerns

With so many new changes and things to think about, the overwhelming feelings can quickly manifest as anxiety if it isn’t managed. This is especially true if a person already has existing mental health conditions to deal with that may exacerbate those symptoms. Couple this with homesickness, academic pressures and the overall culture shock of moving away from home, and it can quickly become a slippery slope to poor mental health.

Nutritional concerns

While there’s humour in associating things like instant noodles as a student cooking staple, nutrition is a concern if it isn’t handled properly. Some students may not have the skills or know how to cook a balanced meal or aren’t sure how to navigate weight changes as a result of a new lifestyle.

How to look after yourself living away from home as a student? 

1. Get adequate sleep

A lack of sleep can really impact your concentration and cognitive behaviour. And while it’s great to throw yourself into student life and experience all it has to offer – adequate sleep is going to be your best friend. If getting good sleep is proving troublesome, get home a little earlier than you usually would, don’t use screens late at night before bed, or even speak to your student counsellor about how you can develop good sleep hygiene and positive routine.

2. Eat as balanced as possible

You’re not expected to be a gourmet chef in your student years, but learning some healthy recipes can help you maintain a more balanced diet. Notice we say balanced and not necessarily ‘healthy’ – as this can mean something different to each individual. Incorporate fresh fruit and veggies as snacks and in meals – you could even invest in a blender to make concoctions that get your vitamins in quickly!

3. Incorporate movement into your day

Consider walking to your lectures rather than relying on public transport. Exercise can seriously boost your mood, even if you feel like it won’t in that moment. If you absolutely must get public transport due to the distance, consider getting off a stop or two earlier to get a few extra steps in.

4. Clean up after yourself

Not only is this mindful for your housemates, but it helps you develop good habits. Cleaning up after yourself rather than leaving chores for another day can help you keep your space clean and minimise tasks building up. This in turn keeps your mind free of distractions and can help you get organised in other ways.

5. Ensure you have the help you need

If you have a pre-existing mental or physical condition, it’s important to ensure you have access to a doctor and the medications you need during your studies. This is especially important to sort out before you get properly settled into your new home, as this means you can lessen any worries about not having the right care.

6. Learn to budget

Budgeting can be a challenge – particularly if you’ve never done it before or haven’t had financial literacy models made clear to you. Consider watching some videos on how to do this or speak to your new peers about what works for them. After all, not all budgeting tips are a one-size-fits-all, so you’ll need to experiment until you find a method of budgeting that works for you.

How can a Student Assistance Programme help you adjust to living away from home? (H2) 

Doing research on what your new college or university has to offer can make a world of a difference in getting prepared. You should check to see if they have a student assistance programme. These services can be accessed even before your course has started, and can help connect you to a counsellor if you’re struggling with living away from home and the transitional changes that come with it. With a solution-focused approach, the counsellor can listen to your worries about living away from home, and help you with the necessary steps to build health coping mechanisms to ease anxieties and worries.

Conclusion (H2) 

Living away from home is challenging and daunting but at the same time, exciting. It’s a time for new beginnings, but also a time to recognise that it’s okay to feel nervous about the transition. With the right preparation, self-care and resilience-building techniques, you can identify the challenges and work with your friends, family or even a counsellor to navigate them in a healthy way.