As I step off the plane, I can immediately feel it: the humidity that sticks to the skin and the sweat that begins to form and becomes a permanent layer. Everything’s green as far as the eye can see — a far cry from SoCal.
Well, I’m back.
It’s my third year at Penn State, though I can hardly process what this means. I suddenly filled with anxiety at the anticipation of the year ahead of me. Something inside me screams that I don’t want to be here; I don’t belong here.
Every year is the same process: excitement at the start of a new semester, a twinge of sadness at saying goodbye to family and friends, motivation while settling into the dorms, and then, a sense of now what?
It’s the Little Things
Between all the chaos of campus, my mind falls into a somber state of analysis, one that in the excitement of my first year went mostly unnoticed. I’m more keen to observe. The culture shock of my first year is gone but somehow State College continues to keep me on my toes.
There’s just something about the place I can’t quite put my finger on. I can never get used to the humidity (California is notoriously dry) and the light never seems to be enough.
The light!
If there’s anything I miss about home it’s the light — at dusk, midday and sunset. At home the sun is warmer, brighter like an embrace that bathes everything it touches in liquid gold. The sunsets are more vivid, with the hottest days being blanketed by the bright red star in the sky. Here the sunsets pass me by before I can tell the day is leaving. The sun is weak, tinting the sky a pale blue. I already miss the ocean, the palm trees I take for granted and the spontaneous drives on PCH. Summer is as good as over.
Practicing Gratitude
Should I really be missing home this much? I mean, it’s the third year, and though things fall into place much more fluidly than the first, the sentiment remains. But I don’t dwell on this too long, knowing I have much to look forward to. Being here in State College, far from the familiar, I become more grateful for home and what it represents. In the process I learn to appreciate the new perspectives that being at Penn State offers.
Take Time to Re-adjust
Being homesick is normal — it doesn’t matter if you’re a returning student or just starting out! Acknowledging these feelings is crucial and taking an active role (literally) is super important. Experts suggest that to battle with post-summer blues individuals engage in some form of physical activity. Penn State is just perfect for that! There are so many trails surrounding campus that prove great for early morning runs. Fitness group classes are always a great option too, as is exploring the restaurants downtown. All of these are great ways to improve your mood as well as get re-adjusted to campus.
In the end, it takes time to adjust to a new place and to find your place within it but it’s okay to take your time. Appreciate what Penn State’s got to offer, for it may be gone quicker than you think.
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