The Truth About FOMO During Erasmus (and How to Kill It Before It Kills Your Experience)
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When everyone’s out chasing FOMO, here’s your reminder: you don’t have to do it all. Your Erasmus, your rules
Let’s get one thing straight:
You don’t have to do everything.
You don’t have to say yes to every party, every beach trip, every museum visit... or every rooftop hangout that pops up in the group chat.
And no, you're not "wasting your Erasmus" if you skip a night out to stay home and eat pasta in pajamas.
This whole Fear of Missing Out thing? It’s the fastest way to ruin your experience before it even starts.
Here’s the truth no one tells you:
If you spend your Erasmus chasing everyone else’s highlights, you’ll miss out on your own.
Let’s fix that.
First: Where Is This FOMO Coming From?
It’s not you. It’s the noise.
You’re surrounded by people who seem to be having the time of their lives 24/7.
Your flatmate’s constantly planning the next group trip.
That girl in your Economics class already has three new best friends, and it’s only Week 2.
And don't even get us started on Instagram—every story makes you feel like you're not doing enough.
But here’s the kicker:
FOMO isn't about missing out on fun. It’s about not knowing what you actually want.
When you don’t have a clear idea of what makes you happy, it’s easy to let other people decide for you. That’s when FOMO creeps in. That’s when you start saying yes to things that don’t light you up.
So here’s your first practical tip:
1. Ask This Question Before You Say Yes:
“Do I actually want this, or do I just not want to feel left out?”
Write it down. Stick it on your wall. Use it like a filter.
This one question will save you from hangovers, burnout, and that weird regret you feel after going to something you never wanted to do in the first place.
Example: If everyone’s going to a techno club and you hate techno, don’t go. Don’t worry about being “boring.” Worry about being drained, cranky, and stuck next to a speaker for five hours.
Saying no is not anti-social. It’s anti-self-abandonment.
2. You’ll Burn Out Fast If You Say Yes to Everything
Erasmus isn’t a two-week holiday. It’s a marathon.
If you try to party every night, hike every weekend, travel every break—you’ll be fried by October. And then what?
You came here to live, not to chase approval points on social media.
The goal is sustainable joy—not extreme highs followed by total exhaustion.
Example: Let’s say your roommate goes out four nights a week. They look like they’re thriving. But behind the scenes? They’re sleeping five hours a night, skipping lectures, and low-key falling apart.
Don’t copy someone’s outside life if you don’t know what’s happening inside.
3. Protect Your Peace Like It’s Your Rent Money
You know how you lock your room when you leave the house?
Do the same with your time and energy.
Just because someone invites you to ten things doesn’t mean you owe them ten yeses.
Try this instead:
Pick 1–2 things a week that really excite you.
Leave space in your calendar for nothing. (Yes—nothing.)
Give yourself permission to do whatever recharges you.
You don’t need a reason to stay home. Your gut is the reason.
4. The Highlight Reel Will Kill You (Unless You Ignore It)
Instagram is a lie.
Everyone’s posting their best five seconds. No one’s posting the hangovers, homesickness, or anxiety attacks.
The ones who seem the happiest? Often the most desperate for validation.
Your real Erasmus story won't be told in squares. It’ll be told in tiny, boring, magical moments that never make it online.
Drinking cheap wine on the balcony with your flatmates
Finding that one gyro place you’ll miss for years
Laughing until you cry over inside jokes no one back home will understand
That’s the stuff. That’s your stuff.
5. Your Time in Athens Is Short—Don’t Waste It Living Someone Else’s Life
You’ve got maybe 5–10 months. That’s it.
Do you really want to spend them feeling bad because you didn’t go to a bar that smelled like sweat and regret?
Didn’t think so.
Erasmus is not about ticking boxes. It’s about becoming the version of you that feels the most alive.
So choose your own version.
If you're the type to explore ancient ruins alone with headphones—do it.
If you're the type who wants a tight circle instead of 100 fake friends—do it.
If you’d rather binge-watch Spanish Netflix than go to the club—do it.
You are not here to be liked. You’re here to experience.
6. Create Your Own Rituals—They’ll Ground You
When everything feels like a rush, make something steady.
Start a weekly dinner with your flatmates. Walk the same route home from class. Pick a café and make it yours.
This helps you tune out the noise and stay connected to what matters.
Example: Juliette (yes, we know your name) made pasta every Sunday night with her roommates. No phones. Just music, food, and stories from the week.
That simple ritual? It made her whole Erasmus feel like home.
7. When You Find the Right Home, Everything Else Gets Easier
Let’s not sugarcoat it:
Housing stress amplifies FOMO.
If you hate where you live, of course you’ll say yes to every chance to get out.
Of course you’ll feel like you’re missing out—because you're trying to escape your space.
But when you’ve got a home that feels safe, cozy, and full of good people?
You’re not “missing out” by staying in. You’re choosing peace.
That’s why we built Rooms Athens. It’s not just a place to sleep. It’s a place to live.
Move-in ready apartments.
Flatmates who actually get you.
No surprise fees. Ever.
Official lease agreements that tick all the legal boxes (visa, bank account—you name it).
We take care of the chaos so you can focus on what matters.
Final Thought:
You Didn’t Come Here to Prove Anything
You came to grow. To learn. To maybe mess up a bit, sure.
But mostly to become someone you’re proud of.
So stop asking if you’re missing out.
Start asking if you’re showing up—for you.
And if having a home that feels like home is part of that?
>>> Check out our properties at Rooms Athens
They’re designed for students who want to live better, not just crash somewhere.
Need help? Want to stop stressing about where you'll live?
Shoot us a message. You’ve got enough to figure out. Let us take housing off your plate.
