College can be a difficult, stressful, and different situation. Whether you are a local or moving from a different state, being homesick is a natural reaction. There are several things that I have found that have helped me from stressful situations and thoughts of home.

Objects from home:
Whether you have a favorite blanket pillow, or stuffed animal, bringing at least one thing that reminds you of home can be beneficial to your mental health.
Along with that, keeping your room, or side of your room, clean and personalized and maintaining it as your private place from stress.
Bring a picture or two of people back st home, friends and family, and keep them close to you. Along with that, try to go through the first week not skyline or calling anyone back home. This may be difficult for close relationships, but it helps solidify relationships here at home and helps to emotionally stabilize yourself in this new environment.
Try to keep foods that you love in your room. Whether that be something simple like pantry food to food in your fridge, having something to eat close by helps with the emotional rollercoaster in your freshman year. You may not want to gain the “freshman 15” (it might happen regardless) but it’s better than passing out or having a mental block due to lack of food.

After the first week
After the first week and getting used to how college life may be, this is where other help can come in.
If possible, go home when you can. Sometimes, having a weekend or a day away from campus and in your own room can be a great mental block from anything you’ve been going through during the week.
If that’s not possible, skyping with friends and family when you can is also a great reliever. It is important to maintain those relationships that you had before college along with the new ones that you form.
For the relationships with people who are on campus, have a day or night and go out to eat or go shopping as a break. If money is tight, make it with meals bought at Walmart or food that you’ve gotten with your meal plan and make a picnic.
Always make time to have a mental day. During the weekend can be easier but take some time out for yourself and try not to worry about assignments or tests that may be coming up. Of course, use this day when you are caught up on those assignments or studying because taking a break can cause you to procrastinate.

If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. I would love to see some of your suggestions!