Moving to a New City for Higher Education

Nervous about relocating to a new city for higher education? Here are a few tips…

It is that time of your life when you have to take the most important decision of choosing the right college. And the college of your dreams is not in your home town. You will probably move to a bigger city at the age of eighteen, first time away from home. You are excited about the prospects of a new independent life and meeting new people but also the task seems a little daunting.  Don’t be afraid. Maintain a positive attitude if you have decided to move away from home. Your attitude will determine the quality of experiences and what you learn from them.

1. Plan ahead – Find out about the safety, rent and living conditions of the city you are looking at for higher education.
2. Find out your options - Once you have got admission, research well your options. Find out if hostel accommodation is available.
3. Get internet – Before you make new friends, the internet will be your connecting tool to your old life and friends. It will keep you from sinking into haplessness and will keep your spirits high.
4. Say yes to invitations – When your neighbors, friends, acquaintances, classmates or other people invite you over, join them! It's important and much easier to expand your network of friends through people who already know you.
5. Organise night outs – Watching movies together is a good way to know people and get them to know you. Inviting them into your space will also breed familiarity and goodwill.
6. Join a club or organisation – Find out about the organisations that are operative on campus. For instance, if you are interested in women’s rights then join the feminist group on campus. Here you will make like-minded friends who can introduce you to their friends. This is how your social life expands.
7. Sightseeing – On Sundays go visit the city’s monuments and events. Get the local newspaper and find out what’s going on in the city.

Moving to a different city for education is an important phase of your life which will teach you to be responsible for yourself and others. There is no parent to help you out. There is no point brooding but to go out and grab the bull by its horns. Take heed and be cautious. The rest will follow smoothly. Cheers!