Staying close to family from far away

Moving away changes your relationship with your family, but it does not have to weaken it. With a sensible routine, an understanding of time zones and some honest conversations, many students find they become closer in new ways.

Finding the right amount of contact

• UKCISA says staying in touch is valuable, but very frequent contact, especially early on, can make settling in harder.
• Bangor University says the right level differs: frequent contact helps some people while others find it makes them feel worse. Notice which is true for you.
• YoungMinds suggests setting up a routine of regular contact with friends and family; Dundee suggests scheduling calls every now and then to catch up.
• A balanced starting point many families use is one or two longer planned calls a week, with short messages in between. Review it together after a month.
• If you notice you only call home when you feel low, add one call when things are going well, so your family hears the good news too.

Time zones made simple

• The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT (u.ae).
• The UK uses GMT in winter and British Summer Time (one hour ahead) in summer. GOV.UK says clocks go forward at 1am on the last Sunday of March and back at 2am on the last Sunday of October.
• So the UK is 4 hours behind the UAE in winter and 3 hours behind in summer, because the UAE does not change its clocks. GOV.UK lists the 2026 change back on 25 October and the 2027 change forward on 28 March.
• Worked example: a family call at 8pm UAE time is 4pm in the UK in winter, and 5pm in the UK in summer. Check the call still fits after each clock change.
• For the US, Canada, Australia or Europe, add your family's city and your university city to your phone's world clock, because these countries have their own time zones and clock-change dates.

Making calls meaningful

• YoungMinds' author finds video and phone calls better than texting, because you can explain how you feel more fully.
• IDP suggests scheduling regular check-ins, sharing updates on social media, sending postcards and even starting a blog so family can follow your life.
• Share small details: what you cooked, who you sat with, a funny moment in class. Details help family picture your life and worry less.
• Ask about them too: siblings' exams, grandparents' health, family news. Connection goes both ways.
• Try a shared activity: cooking the same family recipe on a video call, or watching the same match or programme at the same time.

Boundaries, with love

• If family call more often than suits you, say so kindly: 'I love hearing from you. I am settling in better when I have a bit more time with people here. Can we keep Sundays and Wednesdays for calls, and I will message in between?'
• If you feel you must report everything, agree what is useful to share (safety, health, big decisions) and what can stay your own (daily small choices).
• Agree what will happen if you do not reply for a while, for example a simple 'all fine' message each day during exams, so no one panics.
• Boundaries are not rejection. They are part of the shift from child to adult in the family, which the Relationships module also covers.

When things are hard at home

• Bangor University lists worry about whether family at home are well and happy as something that can make homesickness worse.
• If someone at home is ill or there is a family crisis, tell your personal tutor or student support early. They can explain your options for deadlines and absences.
• It is fine to ask your family for honest updates rather than being protected from bad news, if that is what you prefer. Say so before you leave.
• Keep looking after yourself: eat, sleep and talk to friends. You will be more help to your family if you are not exhausted.

Visits, both ways

• UKCISA suggests visiting home once or twice a term at most, so you have time to settle.
• UCAS says booking a trip home in advance can relieve pressure and lift your spirits.
• Bangor and UCAS both suggest inviting family and friends to visit you instead.
• When family visit, show them your daily life: your room, your café, your library seat. It helps them feel connected when you are apart again.