#UniversityLife

The passage from secondary school to university marks a profound transformation in family relationships—a reality increasingly recognized by Thai parents as their children head off to college. Recent discussions in international media, such as a feature in Business Insider about evolving parent-child dynamics when children attend university, are amplifying a topic that resonates strongly within Thailand’s own households. As more families engage with higher education, they are encountering new challenges—and opportunities—for connection, growth, and mutual understanding.

Homesickness is a nearly universal experience, yet its profound effects on the mind and body are often overlooked. As more Thais study, work, and travel abroad—or even just relocate within the country—the latest psychological research sheds new light on why homesickness matters, how it manifests physically and emotionally, and how Thai individuals can navigate this common struggle HuffPost.

Homesickness is not simply about a longing for family or food from home; psychologists explain it as a natural response to lost attachment and the instability of new surroundings. According to one clinical psychologist and public health professor at an American university, what we miss is less the specific details of home and more the comfort of the familiar, the predictable, and the safe. “We’re longing for something that in our minds is known, predictable, consistent and stable,” the professor explains. This sentiment echoes strongly with those who have moved from tight-knit Thai communities or family homes, even when seeking better opportunities elsewhere.

A new international study has found that regular physical exercise can significantly enhance the academic self-confidence of college students, with personality traits like future orientation and mental resilience playing a pivotal mediating role. The findings could inform Thai universities and educators looking to support students’ mental well-being and scholastic achievement amid mounting educational challenges.

The research, conducted with 624 university students, examined how physical activity contributes not only to physical health, but to psychological traits that underpin academic success. By using structured questionnaires and advanced statistical analysis, the investigators uncovered a strong positive link between engaging in exercise and students’ belief in their ability to excel academically—what psychologists call “academic self-efficacy” (Frontiers in Psychology).

A new wave of research out of Florida State University suggests that regular aerobic exercise could offer a protective buffer against some of the long-term health risks caused by heavy drinking habits in young adulthood—a finding that may resonate with university students and recent graduates across Thailand and globally. Presented at the American Physiological Society’s 2025 annual conference in Baltimore, this pioneering work shines a nuanced light on the role that physical activity may play in mitigating some of the damage from youthful nights of excess, especially during the formative years often marked by college parties and celebrations.

A new research report has found that students who use dating apps are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, raising concerns among educators and health professionals about a hidden danger in the digital age of romance. The study, highlighted by Frontiers in November 2024, adds fresh urgency to Thailand’s ongoing efforts to improve sexual health education and digital literacy among young people Frontiers in Public Health.

With dating apps becoming an integral part of modern student social life, especially in university settings across Thailand and globally, this news holds significant implications. Thai students are among the world’s most digitally connected, with Gen Z leading trends in smartphone and app usage. Yet, with greater access to platforms that facilitate rapid connections often come greater health risks, including unprotected sex, multiple partners, and a higher likelihood of encountering sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the new research, these risks are statistically higher among students active on dating apps.