Decorate your dorm room with things that remind you of home. Tuck a few photos of friends and family around the room. Bring a favorite stuffed animal, cuddly blanket or any familiar item that offers comfort. Do your best to create a warm, comfortable dorm room. Get rid of the barren, sterile atmosphere by adding throw rugs, chairs, and new curtains or bedding.
Get involved with others. Although it may seem easier to hole up in your dorm room, resist the hermit mode and mingle with other students. Be honest if you feel a little out of place. Your fellow students are probably sharing varying degrees of the same emotions. Staying busy and making new friends will smooth the transition. Join a sports club or visit a few campus activity groups to find your niche. College will feel more like home once you have a routine.
Minimize trips home. Fight the urge to hop in the car and head back to mom and dad every Friday night. Try to tough out those weekends on campus. During the school week, classes keep many students too busy to socialize. Weekends are an important time to meet others and enjoy some relaxation. Go to a football game or invite some new friends to catch a movie with you. Establishing autonomy and independence will give you a much needed self-esteem boost as you adjust to college life.
Staying on campus doesn't mean you're cut off from home. Keep in touch through social media. Exchange pictures with your family via social media sites like Facebook or MySpace. Being able to share in hometown life will help you feel less alienated.
Get to know the area. Most college communities have an abundance of shopping malls, restaurants, museums and clubs. Find a good pizza joint or an art museum. Once you are acquainted with the streets and sights, you'll feel less like a visitor and more like a resident.
Befriend your Resident Assistant (RA). Typically, most RAs are handpicked for the job of making students feel welcome and getting them accustomed to their new surroundings. If you don't have a good connection with your RA, find an upper-class mentor through your adviser. Surround yourself with people who enjoy campus life.