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Govoni · 05-15-2015, 05:55 PM

presents

Top Ten Ways to Combat Homesickness
by Tobias Fuller-Thompson

This one may not benefit everyone out there, but I know some of you might find it useful. We all know that Hogwarts is an awesome place: entertaining classes, magic at every turn, I mean… we live in a CASTLE. But though Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a spectacular learning (and living) environment, some people find it tough to be away from home. Summer's over now, we've all been back and reunited with friends for a while, and the novelty is starting to wear off. So this one's for all you homesick students out there, whether first year or Hogwarts veteran, here's my top ten tried and tested methods of combating those cravings for home.

10. Do some studying

Okay, so this one might mainly be in here to appease the professors in our readership, but seriously, give it a go! Homework might seem boring, but this is a magic school, you guys! The assignments here can be super fun, and where there's fun, there's distractions. I mean, unless homework stress is what's making you homesick, in which case… maybe this one isn't for you. But if real homework doesn't do it for you, maybe try a little independent study on whatever area of magic you like! Start a project! Learn Mermish! Make fairy furniture! Honestly, finding something that you enjoy that you can throw yourself into really will take some of those sads away.

9. Count down the days!

School doesn't last forever, and that includes Hogwarts. Sometimes it feels like it's going to be forever before you get to go home again, and all those days stretch out ahead of you like it's a million years. Make a calendar, cross off the days 'til the next holiday. For extra satisfaction, use your wand to blast a hole through the days once they're done.

8. JUMP AROUND!

Physical exercise! Run around the grounds, frolic through the corridors, swim in the lake, turn the Room of Requirement into a massive trampoline room. This is another distraction tactic, but also this kind of exercise can make you happy! And Hogwarts has a lot to offer. Seriously, the Room of Requirement is your friend.

7. Take a day for yourself

NOW, I'm not suggesting you skip classes. Do this on a weekend, or if you somehow find yourself with a whole day of no classes. Forget about homework or anything like that, and do what YOU want to do (check out my last Top Ten Things to do at Hogwarts article if you need help thinking up ideas!). Wanna jump in the lake? Do it! Go to the kitchens and find yourself an entire cake to eat? Go for it! Fancy spending the entire day in the observatory looking at the stars? What's stopping you?! A day that's without limits (uh… within reason, of course) and full of treats is just the ticket for the homesick angsty souls out there.

6. Make a list of things you want to do before the holidays

Hogwarts basically has a limitless supply of fun things to do, seeing as its secrets are still constantly being explored. Write out a good long list of all the fun things you want to do this term and get to work on making that list a reality! Not only will this serve as a distraction, but with a decently long list and a deadline, you'll soon see the time fly by.

5. Chat to a professor

It's not like being home, or hanging out with a friend, but visiting the professors of Hogwarts for a chat can be super interesting. You never know what you might learn, and we're not just talking in terms of academics. Some of the Hogwarts professors lead some interesting lives, and many of them appreciate visits from their students. Sometimes it's good to just be able to talk with a proper grown-up ABOUT being homesick; they'll probably understand, and maybe have some tips of their own.

4. Hang out with friends

A lot of people find a different type of family at Hogwarts; they make a family out of their friends. So when you miss home, try hanging out with some close friends, anyone who'll put a smile on your face. If you've yet to make a friend, there's no shortage of approachable kids at Hogwarts who are willing to be just that. Finding it hard to approach one of them? Just hang around the Entrance Hall looking lonely; they'll find you.

3. Write a letter home

This tends to be the go-to solution for a problem like this. If you're homesick for somewhere or someone, write a letter to whoever you need to hear from. It takes a while to adjust to the whole letter-writing thing when you first get back here, but after a while, writing those letters becomes almost as satisfying as talking face-to-face. It just takes time. Plus, those at home will probably love to hear about your adventures. And writing a letter home usually means getting a letter in return, which is great for assuaging those homesick feels.

2. Request a care package

Okay, so I know this might sound like I'm suggesting you write home and demand gifts, but… okay, well… maybe that's exactly what I'm suggesting. Seriously though, anything helps, even just a box of homebaked cookies; the Hogwarts House Elves make real good food, but there's nothing quite like home cooking. Demand letters, photos, maybe drawings from siblings, and hopefully they will deliver. Care packages = instant mood boosts.

1. Decorate your dormitory

I'm willing to bet that some of you expected spot number one to be taken by the suggestion 'VISIT HOME!', but no. Mainly because I'm pretty sure Headmistress Truebridge wouldn't approve of that. Actually, my advice is to decorate your section of your dormitory with whatever you can to make it feel like home. Really turn it into your space. I, for example, have put up Quidditch posters, photos of my family and pets, and as many pictures of cows as I can find. It makes such a huge difference, trust me.

05-15-2015, 05:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
Govoni MO & DMLE Blast-Ended Skrewt Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dragonstone Posts: 15,583 Hogwarts RPG Name: Lyric Bayliss-Black Slytherin Fourth Year x12 x12	Zombie Apocalypse Team Leader ★ ★ in a crown of pepperoni and artisan cheese presents Top Ten Ways to Combat Homesickness by Tobias Fuller-Thompson This one may not benefit everyone out there, but I know some of you might find it useful. We all know that Hogwarts is an awesome place: entertaining classes, magic at every turn, I mean… we live in a CASTLE. But though Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a spectacular learning (and living) environment, some people find it tough to be away from home. Summer's over now, we've all been back and reunited with friends for a while, and the novelty is starting to wear off. So this one's for all you homesick students out there, whether first year or Hogwarts veteran, here's my top ten tried and tested methods of combating those cravings for home. 10. Do some studying Okay, so this one might mainly be in here to appease the professors in our readership, but seriously, give it a go! Homework might seem boring, but this is a magic school, you guys! The assignments here can be super fun, and where there's fun, there's distractions. I mean, unless homework stress is what's making you homesick, in which case… maybe this one isn't for you. But if real homework doesn't do it for you, maybe try a little independent study on whatever area of magic you like! Start a project! Learn Mermish! Make fairy furniture! Honestly, finding something that you enjoy that you can throw yourself into really will take some of those sads away. 9. Count down the days! School doesn't last forever, and that includes Hogwarts. Sometimes it feels like it's going to be forever before you get to go home again, and all those days stretch out ahead of you like it's a million years. Make a calendar, cross off the days 'til the next holiday. For extra satisfaction, use your wand to blast a hole through the days once they're done. 8. JUMP AROUND! Physical exercise! Run around the grounds, frolic through the corridors, swim in the lake, turn the Room of Requirement into a massive trampoline room. This is another distraction tactic, but also this kind of exercise can make you happy! And Hogwarts has a lot to offer. Seriously, the Room of Requirement is your friend. 7. Take a day for yourself NOW, I'm not suggesting you skip classes. Do this on a weekend, or if you somehow find yourself with a whole day of no classes. Forget about homework or anything like that, and do what YOU want to do (check out my last Top Ten Things to do at Hogwarts article if you need help thinking up ideas!). Wanna jump in the lake? Do it! Go to the kitchens and find yourself an entire cake to eat? Go for it! Fancy spending the entire day in the observatory looking at the stars? What's stopping you?! A day that's without limits (uh… within reason, of course) and full of treats is just the ticket for the homesick angsty souls out there. 6. Make a list of things you want to do before the holidays Hogwarts basically has a limitless supply of fun things to do, seeing as its secrets are still constantly being explored. Write out a good long list of all the fun things you want to do this term and get to work on making that list a reality! Not only will this serve as a distraction, but with a decently long list and a deadline, you'll soon see the time fly by. 5. Chat to a professor It's not like being home, or hanging out with a friend, but visiting the professors of Hogwarts for a chat can be super interesting. You never know what you might learn, and we're not just talking in terms of academics. Some of the Hogwarts professors lead some interesting lives, and many of them appreciate visits from their students. Sometimes it's good to just be able to talk with a proper grown-up ABOUT being homesick; they'll probably understand, and maybe have some tips of their own. 4. Hang out with friends A lot of people find a different type of family at Hogwarts; they make a family out of their friends. So when you miss home, try hanging out with some close friends, anyone who'll put a smile on your face. If you've yet to make a friend, there's no shortage of approachable kids at Hogwarts who are willing to be just that. Finding it hard to approach one of them? Just hang around the Entrance Hall looking lonely; they'll find you. 3. Write a letter home This tends to be the go-to solution for a problem like this. If you're homesick for somewhere or someone, write a letter to whoever you need to hear from. It takes a while to adjust to the whole letter-writing thing when you first get back here, but after a while, writing those letters becomes almost as satisfying as talking face-to-face. It just takes time. Plus, those at home will probably love to hear about your adventures. And writing a letter home usually means getting a letter in return, which is great for assuaging those homesick feels. 2. Request a care package Okay, so I know this might sound like I'm suggesting you write home and demand gifts, but… okay, well… maybe that's exactly what I'm suggesting. Seriously though, anything helps, even just a box of homebaked cookies; the Hogwarts House Elves make real good food, but there's nothing quite like home cooking. Demand letters, photos, maybe drawings from siblings, and hopefully they will deliver. Care packages = instant mood boosts. 1. Decorate your dormitory I'm willing to bet that some of you expected spot number one to be taken by the suggestion 'VISIT HOME!', but no. Mainly because I'm pretty sure Headmistress Truebridge wouldn't approve of that. Actually, my advice is to decorate your section of your dormitory with whatever you can to make it feel like home. Really turn it into your space. I, for example, have put up Quidditch posters, photos of my family and pets, and as many pictures of cows as I can find. It makes such a huge difference, trust me.