Question : I have recently shifted to a hostel to pursue my higher education. I am going through many challenges such as feeling homesick, different food, different personality form that of my roommate, etc. How do I cope with this stress?
Dear Teentalker,
Thank you for writing to us. It is such a difficult transition to make sometimes moving from home or comfort zone to a completely new place like a hostel around new people. This is truly a terrifying shift and can make us feel stressed and nervous. I understand how distressing that must be for you. I want to let you know that you are not alone in feeling this stress as there are so many students who go through similar situations.
Hostels can be fun but also nerves wrecking to live in until you get fully adjusted to it. Everything is different. Like you said, the food, your roommate, the environment. So much to cope with. On the other hand, so many new opportunities to embrace and learn. While it is unnerving to be around people different from you, the differences are what make all of us unique as individuals. Your roommate might be different from you but guess what, he/she may have some interesting things to share. It could be helpful to start a simple conversation with him/her and perhaps he/she may also be feeling homesick or alone. Homesickness is completely understandable and so valid in this case. Remember to talk to your family often and stay connected with them. As much as you might be thinking of them, they may also be missing you equally.
Food in the hostel is such a tough thing to deal with. I can imagine the quality of the food and the nature being so different from what you might be used to at home. However, try to eat as much as you can in the hostel and eventually it will become more for survival than pleasure. You can also keep some snacks and ready to eat packs in your room in case you don’t wish to eat hostel food at all. It is also helpful to remember that adjustment is a gradual process. Take your time to go through this process and eventually you will become more comfortable. This is an initial discomfort and it is completely okay for you to take your time.
If there are times when it gets too overwhelming, you can try exploring your campus, write your thoughts in a diary, talk to school friends and certainly feel free to reach out to us again. I hope this has been helpful. I want to remind you that you deserve to be comfortable and comfortable you shall be. Stay strong!
Warm Regards,
Expert Teentalk India