Staying in touch with friends back home

When I first moved away to study, I – like lots of people – found it really hard to find the balance between meeting new people and staying in touch with those back home.

This is a really common difficulty when it comes to getting through your first year at University. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if most people find themselves struggling with it at times. However, there is a huge number of ways you can keep in touch with friends once you’ve moved away to University.

One of the most important things is to remember that everyone is in the same boat. However cliched it might sounds, it is good to remember that you aren’t the only one struggling to keep in touch with loved ones back home; it can take a long time to figure out.

It doesn’t have to be hard, especially in this day and age, and using social media to keep in touch with people the back home is the most obvious choice. Facebook video chats and Snapchat groups mean you can get in touch with those you’re missing in seconds.

If there’s one thing I can recommend to curb that homesickness we all feel sometimes, it’s video chatting with someone you’re missing. But sometimes, with everything going on at university, it’s hard to find time, so sending a quick snap to your friends can keep you connected.

Social media isn’t the only way to make sure you’re staying in touch with those people you’ve had to leave behind. While it may seem old-fashioned, sending a letter or birthday card to friends back home can be a really nice way to show them you’re thinking of them.

Whatever you decide is the best way, there’s only really one important thing to remember when it comes to staying in touch with old friends: effort. It’s important to remember that everyone gets busy when University gets going and you won’t be able to chat to people every day. But taking a little time each week can work wonders when it comes to staying in touch. As long as you and your pals can put in the effort, staying in touch really won’t be that difficult.

Whilst this is a post about keeping in contact with old friends, it is equally important to take some time to make new friends. You will have left some of your best friends back home but the people you’ll meet at university will really help you get through the years of studying.

So, while staying connected with old friends is important, meeting new people is equally so. You really want to make sure you take some time to meet new people because finding that balance between old and new pals will help you settle into university.

There are so many ways to make sure you stay connected to anybody you want to it would be impossible for me to mention them all.

For even more options, check out Beccy Wright’s vlog over on the Student Life YouTube channel.