Leaving home for the first time is a challenge that almost every college student will face. Some will travel far to attend university, while others will simply move to the other side of town.

However far the distance and no matter how much planning is put into leaving home for the first time, homesickness is sure to come out of nowhere and may hit like a ton of bricks.

The important thing to remember is that it’s okay to miss home. Leaving a life of homecooked meals, privacy and little responsibility is a scary thing, but don’t worry! Here are a few things to remember whenever homesickness has you down.

Do your best to make new friends and spend your leisure time with those friends. Feeling lonely is rough and unavoidable. Spending hours talking to your family back home might bring some comfort for the moment, but is not a permanent solution.

The best way to combat loneliness is, as obvious as it may seem, by making friends and spending time with them! Join a club, attend a campus event, plan study sessions or simply leave your dorm from time to time.A good goal is to try to meet at least five new people a week.

Make your new living space yours. Whether you’re in a dorm or in an apartment, it’s important to have a space that truly belongs to you. Living with people that aren’t family can be difficult and you won’t always see eye to eye with your new roommate(s), but having a space dedicated to you and the things that you like will make you feel more at home and more comfortable in your new surroundings.

Make a schedule and try to stick to it. Living on your own for the first time will present its own unique set of challenges and one of those is boredom. This is where having a schedule comes in handy. Set a separate time to study and a designated time to have fun. You could also set a time to call home or to leave your dorm. Having a set schedule will keep your mind busy and your downtime filled.