Most college students have moments when they become homesick. For athletes, homesickness can be even a more serious issue. You probably won’t be able to go home very much, if at all. You may be in season during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

How do you cope with homesickness? Here are some strategies.

1. Give it time. Most homesickness is short term. College students become very used to being away from home after just a few weeks.
2. Use Skype or other communication tools to keep in touch with your family. It really helps to have a regular time to contact your family.
3. If your family can visit you on campus, try to schedule these visits when you have a weekend with a relatively light workload.
4. Every young person will eventually go through a time when you will be separate from your parents for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For athletes, this time will come sooner than for regular students. The one advantage that athletes have is that you will be with your athletic family during special times.
5. Should you need to go home for a death in the family or a serious illness, talk with your coach. Most coaches will be very supportive. In some cases, you may also be entitled to travel funds.

Homesickness is one of those issues that is more of a perceived challenge than a real one. Most athletes quickly become adjusted to being away from home.