Particularly if you have never been away from home before for any extended period of time, you may find the prospect of not seeing your family and friends for several weeks to be somewhat scary. If you allow yourself to get involved with campus life, they will naturally diminish over time. Sometimes it helps to talk about the uncomfortable feelings you are having. Speak to your R.A., R.D., or a friend in order to get support and reassurance. Even if you had a lot of friends in high school, unless several of them have come to college with you, it is inevitable that you will go through a period of feeling lonely.
Loneliness can be a painful feeling.
You may sense that something is missing from your life or you may feel disconnected from friends and family. In addition, being alone for awhile and having to cope can be a positive challenge that leads to personal growth and greater self-confidence. Don t send yourself negative and self-critical messages about your loneliness. It takes effort and a willingness to risk in order to create a whole new social network. Your social skills and self-esteem, as well as your willingness to put yourself out there will be tested during this time.