Moving for grad school: 18 ways to get settled in your new town
So you’ve just been accepted graduate school. Congratulations! I’m thrilled for you! It’s so exciting to be pursuing your dreams.
But now your mind is racing with all the things you have to do to get ready. Find an apartment. Enroll in classes. Move. It’s a lot!
I’m here today to give you 15 tips that might ease your transition to a new place as you start grad school.
Related to school
1. Attend New Student Orientation (if your school offers it).
Right off the bat, you’ll meet dozens of new students who are in the exact same position as you. This is the perfect time to connect with people outside your department and find solidarity in the newness of it all. NSO should help you find your way around campus, introduce you to resources to help you succeed, and help you build invaluable social capital. You’ll have people to lean on as you all get adjusted to this new place and new life.
2. Join your school’s graduate student association.
That’s a surefire way to meet people! GSA is a crucial organization for grad students. On most campuses, GSA serves as both student governance and a social group—but without the cliquey-ness of undergrad student government. By joining GSA, you learn the inner workings of the graduate school and can help push an agenda that benefits all the grad students on your campus (can I get an amen for reduced student fees?).
3. Go to grad student social & professional development events
The next few years will be an invaluable time of exhaustion all in the name of professional development in pursuit of your dreams. Your department and graduate school are providing you loads of resources at no additional cost to you, so definitely take advantage of them!
Social events offer a nice break from school so you can bond with faculty and classmates outside of the classroom. We all need a break from thinking, and these events help strengthen bonds with colleagues.
Professional development events are put on by experts, so not only do you learn important things but you also make connections. And we all know that networks are key to our success.
4. Spend time wandering—around campus, around town, around coffee shops.
Walk to every building on campus. Even if 99% of your time will be spent in one wing of one building, it’s helpful to know what else is around. You’ll feel satisfied when you can offer directions to a lost family touring campus. You might find your new favorite study spot on the 5th floor of the computer science building overlooking the campus pond. Or maybe you’ll run into a friend. Regardless, this campus will be home for a few years, so make it feel that way by exploring.
Related to town
5. Move to town before school starts.
If at all possible, try to move at least two weeks before school starts. You want time to get your bearings. Take the time to make your apartment or house feel like home; once school starts, you won’t want to unpack any more boxes. Stock your pantry. Practice your commute—especially during the time of day you’ll be getting to campus—so you don’t have any surprises that first Monday. If people from your cohort also arrived early, get together with them so you start bonding before your first class.
6. Spend time getting lost and finding your way around without a GPS.
Want a place to feel like home? Learn to drive around without your GPS! I know, I know, that’s a scary thought. But give yourself extra time to get places so you can enjoy back roads and new routes. Spend time on a Saturday driving back roads (then turn on your GPS to get home). You’ll be surprised when you notice roads connecting and your confidence in navigation grows. Bonus: you never know the sights you’ll see! You might find your next apartment, your favorite secluded park, or the best taco stand in the state. Have fun with it!
7. Go to a farmer’s market and other local places.
Farmer’s markets offer a great way to enjoy local produce and vendors while also running into people you know! Some other local places to explore include coffee shops, murals, parks, and monuments. Consider visiting the historical society to learn more about the history of your town (or the history department on campus). My town offers walking tours through a phone app, so I can explore and learn on my own. Your town might have something similar. The more you explore, the more your town feels like home and the more you can offer to friends and family when they visit you!
8. Explore the local coffee shops.
You better believe coffee gets a shoutout! Whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, coffee is such a part of our culture now that it’s nearly impossible to go through life without coffee dates. Get to know your favorite coffee shops so you can have meetings there or spend a few hours doing homework somewhere other than campus.
Bonus: it really starts to feel like home when you become a regular—when the baristas know your order, you know their names, and you all chat a little bit about life each time you settle in for a study session.
9. Get a library card.
Yes, you have access to a phenomenal library on your campus. But there’s an alluring nostalgia of sitting in the public library. If you’re not a coffee shop kind of person, the public library is a great place to sit and work. You might even make a librarian’s day by asking for her help with research. Bonus: you can check out all the fiction books you like to supplement academic reading…you know, in your spare time. But seriously, support your local library.
10. Join an athletic group off campus.
Not only is exercise good for your ability to be a good student, but it also serves as a launching point for making friends. Do you enjoy running? Find a local running club! Does yoga help you breathe away all your stresses? Find a studio. Are you addicted to CrossFit like me? Then find a box—maybe even with a student discount! The key here is to use an activity of mutual interest to start building connections with people who are NOT grad students. It’s important to have a break from school.
11. Learn where you can get a student discount.
Let’s be real: every penny counts when you’re working with a grad student budget. Thankfully, most schools have robust partnerships with the community. Local businesses appreciate having students as clients, and you get a discount! It’s a win-win for everyone. Even if the student discount isn’t advertised, you lose nothing by asking. Check your school’s website to see if they compiled a list. Some common discounts include: coffee shops, the farmer’s market, fitness studios, nail salons, and local restaurants. Bonus tip: visit these places to help learn your way around town. That’s how I found my gym and favorite coffee shop!
12. Consider living with roommates if you’re not married.
I know, it might be tempting to live alone so you can focus on school 24/7, but roommates offer a starting point for socialization. It’s okay if you’re not best friends, but your roommates might be willing to introduce you to their friends or show you around the town if they’ve been there longer. Just make sure you know what you’re looking for in a roommate and connect with potential roomies before signing a lease.
13. If you’re religious, find a church and get involved.
For many grad students, church offers a time to step away from school, rest, and reflect on life’s greater purpose. If you choose to attend church, I encourage you to take a step further and get involved. It’s great to join a small group or Bible study or to volunteer on Sunday mornings. This is another way to meet people, give back, and take a break from school. We all need community, and church is a great way to find likeminded friends, mentors, and maybe even an adopted mom.
14. Find a place to volunteer.
I mean, that’s how every good Hallmark movie starts, right? Whether you’re looking for your one true love or just want a break from reading and analyzing data all day, getting involved in your community is the best way to give back! You’ll feel great about yourself and you’ll return to school ready to take on the next project.
Related to your mindset
15. Build in time for rest.
It’s tempting to fill your schedule. You’re in a new place for only a few years, and you have to see and do it all, right? While there’s certainly an argument to be made for incorporating fun and play into your schedule, I encourage you not to overdo it. I wrote a post all about the importance of sabbath for grad students, so give that a read. Just don’t take on too much in the name of newness so you don’t burn out. You want to enjoy your time in your new town!
16. Give yourself at least a year.
You won’t establish your community super fast. You might meet a lot of people and participate in a bunch of social activities, but it takes time to settle into your friend group, your ride-or-die support system. Over that first year, you’ll meet a bunch of people in unexpected ways. And they might become your best friends! Be patient and try not to be too hard on yourself if your adjustment feels slower than you like. I promise you, you’re doing great.
17. Meet as many new people as you can.
I know, it’s exhausting to keep putting yourself out there, especially if you’re an introvert. But really, that’s the only way to build community. Even if you really don’t want to, I encourage you to take a deep breath and just go for it. Do it anyway. Your future self will thank you.
18. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You’re new. This is new. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, lost, or confused. By asking questions, you invite others into your journey. Even if you think you know the answer, questions engage others. Ask about the best park for running, what physicians to use, where to eat out, and what some of the local traditions are. There’s absolutely no reason to walk this journey alone, and people are more than willing to offer advice based on their own experiences in your town. So ask away and learn something new!
I’m so excited you’re taking on this new adventure of grad school! It will be exhausting, and it will be worth it.
I hope this article helps you feel a little more confident in your ability to handle what this journey throws at you. I’m rooting for you!
And if you’re already established, let me know in the comments what tips you would add to this list!
