The document is a message from Dr. Afroz Alam to students feeling homesick at National Law University, Orissa. It shares his own experience with severe homesickness when he first left home for university. He considers quitting but is stopped by his teacher, Shadan Zeb Khan. Khan emphasizes that homesickness is normal and will pass, advising the student to get involved with campus activities and events. His words help alleviate the student's homesickness and he is able to complete his education. Dr. Alam now teaches at the same university and shares this experience to reassure current homesick students that they too can overcome homesickness through involvement and knowing it is a temporary feeling.

1. MY MESSAGE FOR HOMESICK STUDENTS 2010
NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, ORISSA
B.A. LL.B SEMESTER-I (2010): “SCIENCE OF POLITICS”
MY “MESSAGE” FOR HOMESICK STUDENTS
By
DR. AFROZ ALAM
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF POLITICS
NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, ORISSA
MOBILE: +919438303041
E-MAIL: afrozalam2@gmail.com
afroz@nluo.ac.in
THIS MESSAGE IS FOR THOSE STUDENTS OF MINE WHO ARE FEELING HOMESICK.
My Dear Students,
I was on the top after getting admission in the most prestigious university of India. It was
really an exciting adventure.......... Yes. It was exciting but it was also scary and sometimes
nerve-racking. Like many others, my feeling of joy and happiness did not last long...... In a
weeks’ time, I start missing my parents, friends, place, and lavish food offered by mom,
wonderful memories and what not. I was not able to adjust myself with strange people,
expressionless faces, staring eyes of seniors, unknown wall of bricks, suffocating hostel
room, deserted greeneries, unholy comments, unknown roads, killing environment and
unfriendly campus......... I was placed in great solitude. I was getting alien to myself. I was
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2. MY MESSAGE FOR HOMESICK STUDENTS 2010
not able to talk freely with anyone. I was confined within the four walls of my room. I
stopped attending the classes. It seems difficult for me to survive......... I wanted to quit.
Quit. Quit. I was realising the importance of everything what I had at home and hardly
valued them................
It was after one month, at late hour, I decided to pack my baggage and leave for home. I
packed. I went out. Searched a Rickshaw puller. Got one. Hired him. Asked him to leave me
at Railway station. On my way to railway station, I find myself occupied with different
thoughts. Thoughts about how would I respond to thousand questions pitted against me. How
would I face those who insisted me not to take BA and I stood against everyone? How would
I respond to those who will ask me the reason for leaving the university about which I
boasted a lot? Am I playing with my career? Am I so weak? Unlimited questions but with no
answer. My head start spiralling around. I was not able to control myself. Nor my thoughts.
Nor Questions. Nor embarrassing moments which I was to going to face immediately after 15
reaching home. I was overloaded with emotions of losing everything for which I really
struggled hard. I had tears in my eyes. I was shivering. Suddenly I realised somebody is
talking to me. It was Rickshaw wala. He was asking me, “Beta, Station Aa gaya”. I get down.
Paid money.
When I was about to reach at Platform, I saw seniors of mine roaming around. It was the
most embarrassing moment of my life. I was trying to hide from them. I was not prepared to
face them. I need not to wait for reaching home to answer the itching questions. And I was
answerless. I was emotionally wounded. Suddenly, I felt somebody’s hand on my shoulder. I
looked back. It was my teacher, Shadan Zeb Khan. I was dear to him so he was to me. He
asked me, how come I was at railway station? Is everything all right at home? Why a sudden
move to home? I was bounced with several caring gestures and questions. He was very soft
and gentle. I start weeping before him. I shared everything with him what was there in my
mind and heart. I was completely unlocked now. My teacher was really a great help. He
sounded like as nothing has happened.
Shadan Sir, made me realise that “homesickness is not a weakness. It happens with everyone.
It's a reflection of adjustment. He was the man who made me think about not leaving the
university. I salute him. I am not sure whether I will able to help my students the way my
teacher did to me. I still remember the empathising words which he has shared with me and
made me feel at home. He said:
• Homesickness doesn't make you less of a person. It is a feeling. Admitting that
you have this feeling makes you more aware of your emotions.
• Give yourself time to become familiar with your surroundings. Managing
homesickness takes time and patience. Who knows, you may feel differently with
time. It usually passes within weeks or months. By that time, you will probably forget
that you were ever homesick.
• Go outside. Explore your campus community. There is a whole world out
there waiting to meet you. Don't keep them waiting.
• Participate in campus events: Be apprised as to what's happening on your
campus.
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3. MY MESSAGE FOR HOMESICK STUDENTS 2010
• There many things that will take your mind off your homesickness. Try
volunteering, giving your time and service to those who are in need of both.
• Talk about your feelings with someone who has been away from home. It
helps to be able to relate to someone who has been in your shoes.
• Make plans to go home every once in a while so you can look forward to those
visits. This keeps you focused on other things and curb any impulsive trips home.
• Find opportunities to meet new people. You don't have to go above and
beyond. Just try and make a little effort. You may gain a new friend and a good
experience. The friends I have, I met in college and I wouldn't mind knowing them for
a lifetime. Don't tell them I told you that!
Shadan Sir has advised me with all love and affection. I was relaxed and cooled down by my
teacher. I left the idea of quitting my university. I came back to my hostel. Enjoyed sound
sleep that night. I was a new person when I got up in the morning. I attended the first class
with new vigour. Completed my graduation, post-graduation, Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim
University and joined teaching as it was my most preferred vocation. Now, I am teaching
you.
My dear students, I guarantee that if you try at least two or three of these tips what is being
offered to me by my teacher, you can and will get through your homesickness. Believe it or
not, homesickness doesn't last forever. Getting over it is quite doable. If I did, you can as
well.
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