Call Your Family

By Meaghan Falconer

I communicate with people exclusively through text on my phone. I don't have a voicemail set up, and if you check my recent call log, you will find only one contact - my Mom. I make it a point to call her every day, or at the very least, every other day. In between our daily text conversations which start with good morning and end with goodnight, I call her. I love our chats, which occur between walks to class, walking the neighborhoods around campus, in the car, running errands, and any time I miss her. 

Our conversations vary each day; I catch up on her life and how my family and dogs are, I tell her about my classes, and the things going on with my friends, and we talk about news and gossip. Sometimes I rant about how I’m stressed when classwork piles up, or call her with laundry or cooking questions. She is always there to listen and support me, almost any time of day. Calling my parents offers a connection to home, and works as a respite when homesickness hits. 

Calling home a lot does not mean I am incapable of being independent, it allows me to feel like I am not alone when I am hours away from home. It's comforting to have an outlet where I can be vulnerable; I can share when I am struggling in a class, when I receive a good or bad grade, when I am navigating friendships, or excited about a future activity or event. It allows her to feel involved and proud of my accomplishments, fostering a sense of shared joy and connection. My mom is also always there to offer love and advice allowing me to feel supported even when she's miles away. She’s the person I call when I need another perspective or help making a decision. Whether I need help writing an email to an employer or asking for her opinion on clothes I like, she is always there with a quick reply. The benefits of calling your loved ones go beyond just gaining good advice, it allows you to stay connected, share experiences, and be a part of each other's lives, even if you're physically distant.

Talking to someone outside of your life at Villanova can also be extremely helpful, they can offer a different perspective than your peers or advisors. Parents and loved ones always try to have your best interest at heart, offering fair, unbiased, and good advice. It is important to foster and maintain relationships with your loved ones even when you are miles away. So next time you find yourself with a few free minutes between classes, or you are feeling homesick, call a loved one.