College student wellness: Navigating homesickness and isolation

College students frequently face predictable challenges such as homesickness, loneliness, and difficulty adjusting to campus life. Many students mistakenly believe that feelings of anxiety or missing home indicate they have chosen the wrong institution, often exacerbated by the “highlight reel effect” of social media, where peers appear to be having perfect experiences.

Data from the Spring 2026 American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), which surveyed over 44,000 undergraduates across 86 institutions, indicates that approximately 60% of students experience a lack of companionship or feel isolated at least some of the time. Despite these challenges, 71% of students reported a sense of belonging at their university, suggesting that most are successfully navigating the adjustment process.