Media to Help With Homesickness
Trinity Larsen | September 16, 2025
Most, if not all, college students will feel homesick at some point in their first semester. The most convenient way to distract ourselves from missing home is to reach for our phones and unplug from the world around us. Instead of turning our brains off, here are some meaningful media recommendations to be a comfort when you miss home.
Books:
Your favorite book from middle school
Whether that was “The Hunger Games” (because who isn’t still obsessed with Katniss Everdeen) or a book that made you fall in love with reading, it can help to reminisce on literature that we loved when we were younger. A book series I don’t see talked about enough that I loved in middle school was “The School for Good and Evil” by Soman Chainani. In “The School for Good and Evil,” selected kids are either dropped into a school for good or a school for evil. This six-book series provides an escape into a magic-using school where, even after just the first book, the characters and world feel like a newfound home.
Classic novels written for a younger audience
Despite these books having been written a few decades ago and targeted towards children, most are incredibly comforting with accessible language. Some of my favorite classical literature that comes to mind are “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C. S. Lewis. In “Anne of Green Gables”, Anne goes on to find her found family-an inspiration to find your own found family in college. “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” is great when escaping into a magical fantasy sounds like a good distraction.
Artists/Songs:
“Stick Season” by Noah Kahan
When needing to dwell in feelings of nostalgia towards a past love and loneliness in a new place, Noah Kahan–specifically this album–is great to turn on. While his song “Homesick” on the album is an obvious choice, songs “New Perspective” and “Stick Season” are similar melodies to play when you just need to sit in feelings of homesickness.
“Vampire Weekend” by Vampire Weekend
This album feels like strolling through campus, spotting your “hallway crush” and remembering the freedom that college can give you. “Oxford Comma” and “Campus” are two more specific recommendations in the album to blast while walking to class.
Movies:
“Dead Poets Society”
If you're looking for a movie to help romanticize being at college while the leaves are changing and there's a crisp wind in the mornings, I recommend watching “Dead Poets Society.” This is a movie that can help you recognize the beauty found on a small campus and the impact of choosing true friends. (TW regarding suicide)
Studio Ghibli films
Films like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Howl’s Moving Castle” have great vibes wrapped in cinematic masterpieces. When missing your home or your childhood, turn on a Studio Ghibli film and expect to smile at least five times.
“The Peanuts Movie” (2015) or any Charlie Brown film
Sometimes you need to laugh at the goofiness that is Charlie Brown. Whether you can relate to the character or find him and his friends charming, this movie is akin to an encouraging pat on the back. Or a hug from Snoopy.
Your favorite childhood Disney, Pixar or Dreamworks movie
Another source of comfort could be to simply rewatch a favorite childhood movie. From “Frozen” to “Toy Story” and “How to Train Your Dragon”, these films remind us of when we were kids and had movie days at school instead of math tests. Ah, the good old days.
TV Shows:
“Gilmore Girls”
This show may be talked about enough; however, I recommend it for more than its cozy autumnal vibe. School is in session, and “Gilmore Girls” is an inspiration to succeed academically. Lorelia and Rory’s relationship is also a comfort when you miss family.
“Young Sheldon”
Whether you want to feel as smart as Sheldon, a 9-year-old who is in high school, or want to indulge in family drama that may cause you to forget about your own family ordeals, I can promise that “Young Sheldon” is a must-watch.
Feel free to leave some of your recommendations (media-related or not) to help with homesickness in the comments!