Males and Student Athletes Are Less Likely to be Homesick in Their First Semester of College, but Pre-Existing Depression Will Have the Biggest Effect on Grades

For first-year college students, being an athlete buffers against homesickness throughout the first semester, while female gender poses initial risk for homesickness that dissipates over time. Unlike homesickness, initial levels of depression are associated with academic performance, highlighting the importance of addressing depression prior to a student’s college arrival.