Making the Move: Mental Health Tips for First-Year University Students Living Away from Home

Starting university is a huge milestone, and for many students, it’s also the first time they’ll be living away from home. Moving into residence or an apartment brings a mix of emotions: excitement, independence, and a sense of freedom, but also loneliness, anxiety, and growing pains. If you’re navigating this transition, you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed, especially when your support systems are further away.

At Stillpoint Psychology, we often work with university students across Ontario, who are trying to adjust to this new chapter. Whether you’re homesick, feeling anxious, or just struggling to keep up with the pace of academic life, know that there are ways to care for your mental health and people who want to support you.

1. Understand the Transition

First, let’s name what’s happening. Living away from home for the first time isn’t just a logistical shift, it’s an emotional one. You’re adjusting to:

• A new living environment

• Increased academic demands

• Different routines and expectations

• Distance from your family, friends, or familiar places

This is a major developmental step. Feeling unsettled doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong; it just means you’re human. You might notice:

• Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite

• Mood swings or irritability

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or isolation

• Worry about school, friendships, or your future

These are all common reactions to a big life change. But you don’t have to wait until things feel really hard to seek support.

2. Build a Home Base

Your living space plays a huge role in your emotional well-being. Whether you’re in a dorm or an off-campus apartment, try to create a space that feels safe and calming.

Here’s how:

• Personalize it. Add photos, cozy blankets, favourite books, or scents that remind you of home.

• Establish routines. Make your bed, eat meals at regular times, and take care of chores. These routines help ground you.

• Set boundaries. If you have roommates, have open conversations about noise, visitors, and shared responsibilities.

Feeling “at home” in your new environment isn’t just about decor; it’s about creating a space where you can decompress, study, and feel like yourself.

3. Stay Connected to Your Support System

It’s easy to feel disconnected when you’re away from home, especially if your family and friends are far away.

Keep in touch in ways that feel meaningful:

• Schedule regular calls or FaceTimes with family members or old friends.

• Send photos or updates about small things; sharing the everyday moments can help you feel more connected.

• Write emails to your family or journal to process what you’re going through.

At the same time, allow room for new connections. You’re not replacing anyone; you’re expanding your circle.

4. Give Yourself Time to Adjust

If everyone around you seems to be thriving while you’re struggling, you’re likely seeing their highlight reel, not their reality.

Adjustment isn’t immediate. It takes time to:

• Make new friends

• Figure out study strategies that work for you

• Get used to gradually being more independent

• Learn how to cook, manage money, or do laundry

Try not to compare your timeline to others. Your experience is valid. The goal isn’t to get it “right”; it’s to keep showing up for yourself with care and patience.

5. Prioritize Your Mental Health

It’s easy to let mental health slide when you’re trying to juggle school, relationships, and life skills. But the earlier you tune into your needs, the better.

Tips for protecting your mental health:

• Check in with yourself. Notice your moods, energy levels, and stress; keeping a journal is a helpful tool for this.

• Move your body. Even a short walk around campus can reduce stress and improve focus.

• Sleep matters. Try to get 7–9 hours of sleep most nights. Avoid screens before bed and create a winding-down routine.

• Eat regularly. Food fuels your brain. Even simple meals can help stabilize your mood.

• Avoid over-reliance on substances. Drinking or using substances to cope can intensify stress in the long run.

6. Dealing with Homesickness

Missing home is natural. Here are things to help you to cope with homesickness:

• Let yourself miss home. Grieving what’s familiar is part of adjusting to what’s new.

• Create “homey” rituals. This could be a Sunday night phone call, a certain recipe, or a favorite playlist.

• Talk about it. You’re likely not the only one feeling this way.

• Make local connections. The more roots you grow where you are, the more grounded you’ll feel.

7. Support for Learning and Neurodiversity

If you have ADHD, a learning disability, or identify as neurodivergent, university can bring unique challenges, but also strengths.

You might find:

• It’s harder to keep track of assignments

• You need more time to read or study

• Social interactions can feel draining or confusing

• You experience sensory overload in busy campus settings

You deserve support that affirms your identity and helps you succeed. Ask your academic advisor or someone at your school’s accessibility and learning resource centre about:

• Academic accommodations through your school’s accessibility services

• Coaching or therapy to learn coping strategies and build executive functioning skills

• Peer support groups for neurodivergent students

If you haven’t yet been diagnosed but suspect you might be neurodivergent, a psychoeducational or ADHD/autism assessment can provide clarity and open up access to supports.

8. Know When to Ask for Help

If you’re constantly overwhelmed, isolated, or just not feeling like yourself, it might be time to reach out. Signs that you might benefit from therapy include:

• You’re experiencing anxiety, panic, or depressive symptoms that are interfering with your daily life

• You feel disconnected, numb, or like you’re in a fog

• You’re having trouble with motivation, focus, or managing responsibilities

• You’re struggling with identity, relationships, or self-esteem

• You’re worried about past trauma or difficult family dynamics resurfacing

Therapy can help you understand what’s going on beneath the surface and equip you with strategies to feel more grounded and confident.

What’s next?

Moving away from home for university is a big deal. It’s brave, exciting, stressful, and uncertain, all at once. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out. What matters is that you care for your mental health with the same attention you give your classes or social life.

You don’t have to struggle in silence. Whether you need a space to talk things through, develop coping skills, or understand yourself better, therapy can be a steady companion during a time of change. At Stillpoint Psychology, we offer therapy for university students across Ontario, both virtually and in-person from our Toronto office. We know how big this transition is, and we’re here to help you navigate it with care and clarity.

Thinking About Starting Therapy?

If you’re looking for support to help you manage stress, build confidence, and feel more grounded, whether you're in first year or finishing your degree, reach out to us to book a free 15-minute consult to see if we’re a good fit.