The other is when the student dislikes the university. Taylor said students who are dissatisfied with the university aren't really in the category of homesickness. The problem is that they are high academic achievers, not homesick. Students who don't like the university they attend often transfer to another one that satisfies their needs better. Sometimes depression is not a result of homesickness.
Some students find the difference between high school and college is too great.
Helen Marshall, a therapist in the University Counseling Center, said most students fail to see the difference when they first begin. They find out that they haven't developed their studying skills enough to deal with their college classes. Sometimes students like to socialize instead of studying because they think that is what college is all about, Marshall said. Sleeping and withdrawing are not answers to depression because they may lead to thoughts of suicide, she said. Tracy Dickens, graduate student in psychology from Arlington, agreed with Marshall.