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avatar Anonymous

My son is going out of state for college next fall.

He's never been away from home before and I'm afraid he'll be homesick. Any ideas on how I can help him?

Question applies to ages: 17, 18

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avatarLizInHolt
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Many colleges have set up online forums for students to "meet" other incoming freshmen. When they match up prospective roommates, their emails are usually exchanged so they can get to know each other beforehand. Check with the Admissions Office to see what's available at your son's school. Also, I remember when I left home for college, those "care packages" from home were a big cheer and sharing the goodies with others in the dorm helped break the ice, too.
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avatarAnonymous Get him a subscription to his hometown newspaper. Even if he isn't a big newspaper reader now, he will enjoy keeping tabs on people and places he misses. A newspaper can bring him a little piece of home every day. When I was a freshman at the University of Arizona, I always enjoyed getting our local paper, especially when it was full of pictures of blizzards back in Michigan.

References:
Former homesick freshman.
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avatarAnonymous I love the care package idea. It worked rather well for me, and still works for my 32 year old, Naval Chief Petty Officer. My mom would send care packages when I was in college. They usually contained treats that I could only get at home (Vernors, baklava from my favorite bakery), something soft and fuzzy (slippers, socks, mittens, hat), and notes from my high school friends who still lived close to my parents.

It's the reminders of home that make you feel not-quite-so far away.

References:
Daughter, sister & mother
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