Photograph taken on site
At some point in everyone’s life, boxes have to be packed up, bags have to be stuffed full, cars have to be loaded down, and a drive has to be made. The drive could be across town to your first apartment away from your parent’s house, a few hours to a new city, across the country, or to the airport to travel to a completely different country. No matter where you’re going, most of the time the move to a new place can be scary and nerveracking as well as exciting. I just moved to Valdosta at the beginning of the school year, and I can tell you from experience some ways to make this experience a little easier. First, make sure you have a place to live. This may seem like an obvious statement but it’s also the most important part of a move. Many people, students especially, think that they can wait until a month or two before moving to start looking for a place. While it’s possible to do so, it’s a level of stress that you do not want added during this important time in your life. You should start, at least six months to a year in advance, getting to know the town you are moving to and deciding what part of town you want to live in. Once you’ve done this, start calling apartment offices, real estate companies, or personal ads to get the information you need about leases, deposit fees, etc. Also, don’t forget to find out whether utilities are going to be included in your rent or if you’re going to be responsible for paying a separate bill. After you’ve decided or at least narrowed down where you want to live, it’s time to start thinking about other things you need in your new town. Are you going to find a job? Are you familiar with the campus at your new school? Do you need a gym to work out in? A library to study in? Where is the post office located? What about the banks? Of course you can’t forget to find out all the hot spots in town! The best place to get coffee, the best movie theater, where a good place is for you to hang out and just meet new people. Researching and asking around about these things ahead of time will put your mind at ease and keep you from being stressed out at the last minute.
If your move is your first one away from home, it’s also going to be important that you ask your parents, or whomever you lived with, some tips for living on your own. One example of something that’s been important to me is having a simple toolbox! You never know when you’re going to need a screwdriver or a hammer. One of the most nerve racking experiences of moving into a new place is meeting new people. In most cases, you’re not going to know many people in your new town. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of ways to meet new people, and most importantly, make new friends. One of the easiest ways to meet people is by joining clubs. Every college or university usually has many clubs to choose from, and you can usually access a list of these clubs on your school’s website before classes even start. Look up your school’s clubs and research what clubs may interest you. Are you interested in politics? Most schools have clubs for collegiate democrats and republicans. Do you want to take a stand for an important cause? Join the Relay for Life committee or the Gay-Straight Alliance. Are you a big social butterfly? Find a fraternity or sorority that seems to fit your personality. Did you love the clubs that you were involved in during high school? Most colleges offer 4-h, FCA and FBLA to name a few. Whatever club or organization that you join, you are certain to meet new people that have the same interests as you. The most important part of moving to a new place however, is embracing your new surroundings. You never know when you move to a new place what kind of people you are going to meet, new experiences you’re going to encounter, or even what problems you are going to run into. Embracing each new experience with an open mind will not only make transitioning into your new environment easier, but will also help broaden your mindset and better you as a person.
13
ONTAP
Photographer Genevieve Kennett