Guide to Helping Your UF Student Through Homesickness

The first few weeks of college are a whirlwind. New classes, roommates, football games, endless club fairs, and maybe even the excitement (and pressure) of joining a fraternity or sorority. Amid all this change, many students feel what parents often expect but hope won’t happen: homesickness.

If your University of Florida student calls sounding teary, lonely, or overwhelmed, know this: it’s normal. Homesickness is not a sign that your student won’t thrive at UF — it’s a sign that they are human, adjusting to a brand-new chapter in life.

As a parent, it can be tough to hear your child struggling, especially when you can’t just swoop in and fix it. The good news? There are thoughtful ways you can support them from afar, cheer them up, and encourage them to embrace Gainesville as their home away from home.

Why it happens:

• Students miss the comfort of familiar routines, friends, and family.
• They may be feeling left out if peers seem to be “clicking” faster — especially during Greek recruitment or the social buzz of the first month.
• Academic pressures pile on quickly once classes begin.

What you can remind them:

• Almost every freshman feels this way, even if they don’t show it.
• Adjustment takes time — often 6–8 weeks before campus starts feeling familiar.
• They are not alone: UF has nearly 35,000 undergrads, and countless others are working through the same emotions.

When your student calls upset, your instinct may be to jump in with solutions. Instead, listen with empathy. Say things like:

“That sounds hard, I can see why you’re upset.”

“I know it’s tough right now, but you’re adjusting to so much all at once.”

Sometimes the best medicine is just being heard.

A box of their favorite snacks, a cozy blanket, or even silly inside jokes from home can bring comfort. Add a handwritten note reminding them they are loved and resilient.

Urge your student to:

• Knock on a neighbor’s door in the dorm.
• Attend a Welcome Week or RecSports event.
• Go to one club meeting — even if it feels awkward at first.

Often, one friendly face can change their whole outlook.

Let them know homesickness is normal and temporary. Share your own story about a time you felt out of place and eventually found your groove.

Gainesville’s beauty and UF’s resources can be part of the healing process. Encourage your student to take advantage of outdoor spaces and campus traditions to boost their mood:

• Walk through Wilmot Botanical Gardens – A quiet, shady refuge in the Health Center area where students can unwind or study surrounded by greenery.
• Check out UF’s “secret gardens” – From the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum to the little courtyards around campus buildings, encourage them to explore beyond their dorm.
• Visit Lake Alice at sunset – A classic UF experience. Students may spot turtles, birds, and (from a safe distance) a gator.
• Watch the bats fly at the UF Bat Houses – Thousands of bats soar out each evening, and it’s a quirky, unforgettable Gator tradition.
• Run the stadium steps in The Swamp – Many students love working out at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium; it’s both exercise and a stress reliever.
• Join a RecSports activity – From pickup basketball to yoga classes, physical activity helps both body and mind.

Sometimes just stepping off campus can help reset perspective. Gainesville offers plenty of nearby trails and parks — many within a 10–15 minute drive or a short bus ride:

• Sweetwater Wetlands Park (2.7 miles from campus) – Popular for student runners and walkers, with boardwalks and 3.5 miles of trails.
• Depot Park (1.4 miles) – A downtown park with a pond, open lawns, and access to the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. Great for picnics, hammocks, or studying outside.
• Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail – A 16-mile paved trail perfect for biking, jogging, or weekend adventures with friends.
• La Chua Trail (about 3 miles) – Scenic boardwalk and prairie views, often with wild horses or bison in the distance.
• Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (6 miles) – Gorgeous themed gardens for a weekend stroll.
• Loblolly Woods and Alfred A. Ring Park (northwest Gainesville) – Shady trails along Hogtown Creek that feel tucked away from the bustle of campus.

Encourage your student to grab a roommate or new friend and try one of these as a low-pressure outing. Sometimes nature is the best cure for stress.

Greek life can be both exciting and overwhelming. Remind your student:

• It’s okay if they don’t feel instant belonging — relationships take time.
• Balancing Greek commitments and academics is key. Encourage them to plan study hours early.
• If they discover it’s not the right fit, remind them UF offers 1,000+ other student organizations where they can find their niche.

It’s easy to feel left out during recruitment season. Encourage your student by reminding them:

• Plenty of students (in fact, most of UF’s undergraduates) are not in Greek life.
• Non-Greek organizations — from service clubs to intramural sports to cultural groups — offer strong friendships and leadership opportunities.
• Sometimes the best connections come later in the semester once the rush dies down.

Plan a Visit – If your student is especially down, having a Gainesville weekend on the calendar can lift their spirits. Consider booking a StayGainesville rental, where you can cook them a home-cooked meal, bring siblings (or pets), and enjoy quality time together away from the dorm.

Encourage Campus Resources – Remind your student about the UF Counseling & Wellness Center, student org fairs, and academic advising. Sometimes just knowing resources exist makes students feel less alone.

Celebrate Small Wins – Whether they passed their first quiz, found a new coffee shop, or met a classmate, cheer them on. Recognition from you reinforces their progress.

Homesickness is real, but it’s also temporary. By listening, encouraging connection, and pointing your student toward all the beauty and opportunities Gainesville offers, you’ll help them adjust to life at UF.

Remind them: they don’t have to have it all figured out in the first month. College is about growth, discovery, and finding community at their own pace. With your support and UF’s resources, your Gator will find their footing — and soon, Gainesville will feel like home.