As a new academic session is approaching, quite several students are excited to start their new academic pursuit in a new school and country. However, some will be agitated as moving to a new city can be scary. For them, it means leaving the people they love behind and moving into the unknown.
You know what? It’s okay to be scared, but try changing your mindset about it. See it as an adventure, which involves learning new cultures and values, meeting new people and opportunities, and finding a different path. There are over one billion people on Earth, which might equal the number of opportunities you might encounter.
Herein, we promise to help you navigate the seemingly daunting process of moving to a new city as a student.
How Can I Get Started in a New City as a Student?
Here are practical ways you can navigate your ‘student in a new city’ life other than fidgeting around or spending time playing games on various platforms like this website:
● Be organized
Now that you’re planning to or perhaps moved, the first thing to do is to arrange your space, be it an apartment outside campus or a hostel. Make it welcoming because you’ll start making new friends, and you wouldn’t want them to hit your leg against a box you forgot to put away. Also, it’ll provide extra ventilation and ensure you have a clear head after your trip.
You can buy a couple of things, but ensure you buy stuff that you need and stay on budget.
● If you can, visit the city you’re moving to
If time permits and without breaking the bank, try to visit your intended city. Sometimes, being there physically will prepare you for how you can adapt your lifestyle to fit theirs, although not entirely. Aside from getting familiar with the city, take a tour around your new school. Get to know your lecture halls, faculty, cafeteria, and park.
Furthermore, check out your intended hostel if you have secured one and figure out ways you can personalize it. However, do not strain yourself if you can’t do a physical evaluation. Thanks to technology, you can search and find almost anything you want. Carry out in-depth research on the city and school. That way, you might not be caught unprepared.
● Meet as many people as you can if necessary.
Don’t overdo it. If and when necessary, try to engage with them. Lend a helping hand if you have to. Thanks to social media. Since most schools have social media platforms like Facebook, you can meet people through them. For freshers, schools organize an orientation session to help new students get familiar with the school’s laws and social activities.
Through that meeting, you can engage with one or two students who are as new as you are. You might feel nervous at first, but if you give in to that feeling, you might end up feeling lonely all the time. Even if you’re a private person, having two or three friends isn’t too much. Don’t expect someone to walk up to you. Remember that you’re not the only nervous person there.
● Spend time with yourself.
It might sound funny how the point above talked about how important it is to have people around you, and this is talking about how you should spend time with yourself. This point is as important as the former. Now, before you can be comfortable with the new people you’ll meet, be comfortable with yourself first. Don’t be a novice. Get to know the city and school yourself so you won’t have to rely on the opinion of others.
Don’t overindulge yourself with your phone. Dump them for some time and wander around. Who knows, you might meet a friendly café owner as you decide to have a cup of coffee or meet someone who’s having dinner alone and wouldn’t mind if you join them. Being too intrigued about how things are back home might not help because people might not engage with someone who’s always tapping on the screen.
● Use your smartphone
The point above didn’t advise you to totally dump your phone because you need to have your phone with you at all times in case you get lost. Most schools have a help center number students can call. So, if you need any help within or outside the school premises, you can call the support desk, and they’ll be able to help.
Furthermore, you might want to use Google Maps to navigate your way through the city, but ensure you don’t wander too far. Since you’ve done enough research, you should know places you shouldn’t veer into as a student, especially at night.
● Budget your expenses
It can be thrilling to find yourself in a city where everywhere and everything looks attractive especially if you’re from a small town. It’s good to get some stuff to fit in a bit with the new city’s lifestyle but it’s great if you don’t buy things you don’t need.
Remember you’ll be staying for a couple of years, and you need enough funds to sustain yourself. Also, it is not necessary to buy all you want at once since you’ll be staying for an extended period, so get items one at a time without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Embarking on this new journey is like laying a new foundation for your future. As much as it’s good to enjoy the process, you have to take it seriously. That means, explore and have fun but don’t lose sight of your goal.
Also Read: Top 7 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Roof (And Why You Shouldn’t Wait)
