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Is it time to visit the family already?

You are a college student now. You have your independence and you have your freedom. You are homesick and you miss your family. It is quite normal to miss your family, but don't get in the habit of calling or visiting too often.

College is a time for you to gain your independence and to start branching out on your own. If you stay too connected to your family, it will be more difficult for you to make the separation. Your family is probably feeling the same anxiety as you are. They need to accept the separation as well. Don't make this too hard on them either.

It is very important not to go to either extreme in visiting with the family. Just like you do not want to visit or call too often, you do not want to go too long without calling or visiting. Many desperate phone calls are made each fall to college campuses by parents and other family members trying to locate their student. You don't want to do this to your family either.

So, how often is too often? How long is too long? This is something you need to answer for yourself. Ask your family how much contact they will need and work out a plan together. Many campus calendars are designed to facilitate visits with the family. Fall break comes half way through the fall semester and Thanksgiving break comes one month later. The semester break is just one more month down the road in December. Many campuses have a Family Day in the early fall that will give your family a chance to visit you at campus. Without trying, you have the opportunity to visit with your family once a month during the fall semester.

Hang in there. College is a tough adjustment. The bottom line is this: If you really need family contact, then go for it -- call, write, e-mail, visit! You will concentrate better on your studies if your mind is not occupied worrying about your family. Your friends are probably going through the same adjustment. Be there for them, and they will be there for you!