Hi! I’m Haoyang Lin, a second-year student from the Design programme at Loughborough University. I’m originally from China. Moving to university this autumn was my first experience of living away from home, and it was both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I’d like to share a bit about my journey settling in, my experience of going home for Christmas, and some tips I’ve learned along the way. 

When I first arrived at Loughborough, adjusting to a new environment, meeting new people, and navigating a different culture felt like a difficult task to do. The first few weeks were a mix of excitement and homesickness. I missed my family, familiar foods, and the comforts of home. However, as the weeks passed, I began to find my rhythm. I joined societies, made friends, and grew more comfortable with my course. The support from my flatmates and University staff was incredible, and slowly but surely, I started to feel at home in Loughborough. 

Returning home

Returning to China was a hard decision for me. Christmas break is included in my module timetable and that means I need to stay focused on my project, which is obviously contradictive to my return trip. Later, after my consideration and careful planning of time, I managed to keep the balance between my plans to return home and my coursework.

During my time in China, I always kept my laptop with me in my spare time in order to catch up on coursework. So, I think good time management skills are very important to every university student.

For international students, homesickness is very common to everyone, it is not something bad or awkward. If you miss your family and want to go back, just do it. And don’t forget to talk closely with your parents, their ideas are also important to be your reference when you make choices. And more importantly, they are always firmly stand with you. Furthermore, as long as you can make full use of your time and keep your coursework in a good position, everything will be fine. Finally, although the journey back was long and tortured, it worth every moment.  

Here are some tips for making the most of the Christmas break 

1. Balance study and rest: use the break to catch up on any coursework and prepare for the next term, but don’t forget to relax and recharge. Balance is key. 
2. Quality time with loved ones: make the most of your time at home by creating meaningful memories with family and friends. Share your university experiences and listen to their stories too. 
3. Plan some holiday days in Loughborough: before you start your new term, I highly recommend arriving on campus a few days in advance of the new term to adjust your bio clock and to life in Loughborough. 

If I could share one piece of advice with someone about to experience their first Christmas break, it would be this: take the time to reflect on your journey so far, celebrate your growth and recognize how much you’ve accomplished, even if it doesn’t feel like much at first. Use the break to recharge and set intentions for the new term. And remember, it’s okay to feel torn between home and university – it’s all part of the experience.