
Transitioning from traditional education to online education can be overwhelming and one can consider it as a mixed bag of emotion that a student has to go through very similar to a rollercoaster.
While online education offers flexibility and convenience it also comes with its own set of challenges that a student has to face and the most common one among the challenges is Homesickness.
Know — homeschooling is deschooling or Transitioning to Homeschool High School for students.
Every student who is an online set up once in their life has felt Homeschooling where they feel detached to the world and do not understand their core existence in the learning journey.
Whether a student has relocated for better internet access or simply missed a vibrant atmosphere of traditional schooling Homesickness impacts everyone at some point of time creating an emotional void in students which hinders their academy performance and mental well being.
Homesickness also happens due to the lack of human interaction in an online schooling and further this blog will provide some strategies that can be implemented to deal with Homesickness while studying in an online schooling setting.
Table of Contents
- 10 Tips to Deal with Homesickness at an Online School
- 1. Understand Your Feelings
- 2. Stay Connected with Family and Friends
- 3. Create a Comfortable Study Environment
- 4. Stick to a Routine
- 5. Engage in Online Communities
- 6. Explore Hobbies and Interests
- 7. Practice Self-Care
- 8. Set Short-Term Goals
- 9. Reach Out for Support
- 10. Focus on the Benefits of Online Learning
- Activities to Deal with Homesickness
- Conclusion
10 Tips to Deal with Homesickness at an Online School
1. Understand Your Feelings
Homeschooling is natural to the education process. It is a response to being away from a familiar environment and certainly it is important to and knowledge these feelings rather than just suppressing them.
By identifying the root causes of homesickness parents can address these issues better. It can range from missing family friends to even being not able to stick to daily routine certainly these issues may take an emotional toll.
Students are suggested to write a journal and share their thoughts to someone they trust which can provide them a sense of clarity and release in themselves they feel more involved and connected to the environment.
2. Stay Connected with Family and Friends
One of the best ways to deal with Homesickness while being in an online schooling method is to be able to connect to people virtually where students can take help of regular video calling.
The ability to connect virtually helps people to maintain their emotional ties with family and friends.
Students can plan to schedule weekly calls to catch up and share updates with their family and friends where they can engage in shared activities like cooking the same recipe or watching a movie together.
These interactions can help students in creating a sense of normalcy which will reduce the feeling of isolation in them.
To know more about this , read this blog on Homeschooling and Socialization: Keep your Child Connected.
3. Create a Comfortable Study Environment
Students can create a study environment for themselves, a well suited place that will help them in growing and learning better.
We can not ignore the fact that a quiet, well-lit study place plays an important role in changing the way a student feels throughout their day.
It is suggested for students to create a dedicated space for studying, keeping it cozy and incorporating it with personal touches like motivational quotes, photos, favorite books and can even consider keeping small mementos from home around themselves to feel connected to the learning environment while being in touch with the essence of family.
It is suggested for students to keep the learning space around them clutter-free, well-lit, organised and free from distractions to enhance focus and make online learning more enjoyable and less tortuous.
Must have things for homeschoolers includes a list of things that help them in creating a comfortable study environment.
4. Stick to a Routine
Students need to understand that consistency is the key to better learning and a stable life with less stress, and it can not be achieved in a day.
Students need to establish a daily routine for themselves where they can plan their day in a strategic way, this strategic planning includes setting dedicated time for regular study, breaks, meals, and leisure time — everything included in the journey.
For students, time management is very important and half of their life will fall in place if they consider a well structured timetable for themselves, it can help a student in creating a sense of control over their day and provides them with all the needed stability in all aspects of their life.
Overall, this will also help a student in planning their day and managing time effectively, which ultimately reduces stress for the students and contributes to their mental health and emotional well-being.
5. Engage in Online Communities
Online world is easily accessible and life becomes easier with the help of social media. Students can connect with friends and peers online.
Under these circumstances students get an opportunity to interact and engage with a wide range of people, where they can connect and build friendships with people online creating a sense of community and belongingness.
They can even consider being a part of some virtual community and social media groups for interaction and can participate actively in discussions, collaborate on group projects, or join forums related to their interest and needs.
These online social interactions will help students to grow socially and will make them more interactive — will also make them more confident and they will learn to build relationships, where they can feel less isolated and more connected to the world around them.
These online activities and social help groups should be highly administered and parents should keep a control over their activities under their guidance and surveillance. These activities can even be integrated into their academic and social circles.
6. Explore Hobbies and Interests
Students are suggested to channelise their energy into hobbies or in co-curricular activities which can be an amazing distraction to feelings such as homesickness, isolation and loneliness.
Students can get engaged in activities like painting, playing instruments, writing or even gardening — it will keep them engaged for a longer period of time and will help them feel connected to the world outside the virtual world.
These activities will boost their mood and provide them a sense of accomplishment.
By trying out new activities and hobbies students can find a refreshing way to break the monotony of online learning and virtual classes.
Read this blog on : What Is Homeschooling? A Guide for Parents and Students.
7. Practice Self-Care
By taking care of themselves students can change the dimensions of things where physical and mental health will play a very important role in making them comfortable with the learning environment.
It will act as a camping mechanism to homesickness and this can be ensured by following a routined meal structure that will prioritise their health and lifestyle.
It is suggested for students to ensure balanced meals with proper exercise and enough sleep to regulate a healthy lifestyle for themselves.
They can even consider getting involved into mindful practices to reduce stress and improve their emotional resilience like : yoga and meditation.
It is better to allocate time for such activities and relaxation in the time table and prioritize it in their daily life schedule.
8. Set Short-Term Goals
Students are suggested to consider taking breaks when feeling disconnected but the main thing is to keep the flow structured enough that you never feel stuck.
So, what can be done in such a case?
Break down your goals into smaller chunks to feel and create a sense of purpose and progress.
This can even help a student in maintaining the flow of work without feeling disconnected and stuck for a longer period of time.
These goals can be academic, like completing an assignment ahead of schedule, or personal, like learning a new skill.
It is suggested for students to celebrate small milestones that can uplift their spirits and keep them motivated in their learning journey for a longer time.
9. Reach Out for Support
If in the case a student is being very overwhelmed they should never hesitate to seek support.
Most online schools offer counselling services and student support where students can talk about their struggle and issues without the fear of being judged.
It is always suggested for any individual to seek professional help and talk to them who can provide new perspectives to their problems and help them in coping with them with better strategies.
Sharing your feelings with friends and family members can also be comforting to a level but it is highly suggested to be in an environment that supports you and makes you feel involved.
10. Focus on the Benefits of Online Learning
Instead of looking at the negative aspects of the environment it is better to focus on the advantages and move ahead with the learning journey.
Students can focus on the advantages of online education rather than just dwelling about what they have missed in the journey.
By focusing on the concepts like flexibility, self paced learning and opportunity to be anywhere while studying can describe them from the feeling of isolation and distract them from the feelings where they feel demotivated and stuck.
It is suggested for students to remind themselves that they chose this path for a purpose and it aligns well with their long term goals.
Activities to Deal with Homesickness
There are certain activities that can help a student in dealing with Homesickness and parents can accompany their kids in engaging in those activities to bring out joy and a sense of connection which will significantly elevate Homesickness for them.
1. Take a Cooking Class
Parents and students can take a cooking class together as it is believed that cooking is therapeutic.
Cooking is also a fun way to connect with others and learn different things in the journey.
Parents can join online or local cooking classes to learn new recipes with people and family or can enroll their kids in such cooking sessions to meet new people with similar interests who would help them in interacting.
2. Read Together in a Library
In case a student has access to a local library they can consider joining a reading group or attending book discussions where this interaction between like minded people can create an environment for students to interact and community.
Reading is a wonderful habit that enables a student to build more meaningful connections and friendship by interacting in a quiet environment and a shared love for books among people can be soothing for each other.
3. Discuss Art in a Nearby Museum
Students can consider visiting a museum or an art gallery nearby.
Exploring art can be a refreshing break from the monotonous life or the schedule that a student is following on a regular basis.
Many museums offer a virtual tour that can be engaging for students from the comfort of their home.
4. Take a Break at a Local Park
Students are suggested to take a regular break and spend some time outdoors to combat the feeling of isolation in themselves.
As they go out and interact with people it will help them in rejuvenating their mind and body.
While taking this break students can walk in the park, jog or even go out for a picnic with their family and friends.
5. Allow Yourself to Get Messy with Arts and Crafts
Sometimes to connect with the word is a messy way out and students should consider getting messy in such creative activities.
Students can take part in activities like painting, sculpting or DIY crafts which will be an excellent outlet for expressing emotions for them.
The process of creating something with your own hand can be very satisfying and therapeutic for students.
This process will help them in connecting with themselves and getting an opportunity to soak into the moment and feel things when combating isolation.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is a common experience for students and it is not something that can be controlled or eliminated rather it can be reversed over time.
This issue is mostly seen in online students and childrens, especially those who are in college or are highly connected with their family at a young age. It is commonly known as alternative education.
But it is very important to understand that homesickness is not a taboo, it is a natural process and by creating a supportive environment parents and online institutions can help students in managing and dealing with these issues strategically & effectively, with the right strategies and effective measures.
Parents and students can together deal with issues by understanding each other’s feelings and staying connected to each other on a regular basis.
Individuals can create a supportive environment for students to grow.
It is suggested for parents to try finding ways to engage in meaningful conversations and activities with students so that they can help their children navigate through this challenge and make the most out of their learning experience in an online setting.
It is best to remember that seeking help and prioritising well being is the most important thing that a student can do.
Parents should regularly communicate with their children about mental health and all the issues they’re facing and motivate them to understand that with time they will find their rhythm and build a routine for themselves to balance their academic and emotional needs effectively.