Moving to a new city alone as a student
Moving cities is scary. It’s even scarier when you’re a student fresh out of high school or moving away from your loved ones for the first time. But don’t worry - you’ll settle in no time. To give you a helping hand, this article outlines everything you need to know about how to relocate cities and stay fulfilled in the process.
Explore the city
The world is your oyster and, in this case, your new city needs to be discovered. Whether you’ve landed in London, Huddersfield or Brighton, your city will have tons of things to see and experience as a bright-minded student.
Exploring your new home city is a great opportunity to meet new people, understand how local travel works and where to find student-friendly places.
Moving to a new city alone can make you feel isolated but, as a student, try to take advantage of your free weekends and Bank holidays to explore local heritage sites, natural wonders and cultural hubs. Once you start finding great places to see and experience, your new city will start to feel like home.
Not sure where to start? Visit your local tourism centre or try Googling some popular tourist attractions.
Meet new people
One great thing about moving cities is that you get the chance to meet new people and make lifelong friends.
It may feel difficult to talk to new people - especially if you’re more on the shy side - but it’s a worthwhile effort when you’ve just relocated.
How do you even start meeting new people? Our advice would be to start small. Get to know the residents on your student accommodation floor or those attending the same lectures as you. When you feel ready, branch out and chat with people you meet while running errands or take up a hobby that allows you to engage with new people.
Say yes to new experiences
Some great advice for moving to a new city is to be as open-minded. Say yes to new experiences and don’t be scared to get out of your comfort zone. Of course, this is easier said than done, but you don’t have to say yes to crazy adventures or things that contradict your personal values. Saying yes to new experiences could mean attending a welcome party hosted during uni freshers week or getting involved in local volunteer programmes.
Another way to open yourself up to new experiences is by starting a new hobby, such as pottery or dancing. If you enjoy getting sweaty, get a gym membership or partake in a local sports team. These are great ways to experience different things and meet awesome, like-minded people in your city.
Keep in touch with family and friends
After the thrill of moving to a new city alone wears off, you might start to feel lonely or miss your family and friends. It’s important to keep in touch with your loved ones - they’re part of your support system and play a role in helping you navigate student life.
Schedule regular phone calls with your family and friends to update them on everything going on in your life (and to keep up with theirs). If phone calls don’t cut it, try video calling or sharing fun photos and videos of your daily life.
If you’re really struggling with loneliness, talk with a medical professional or your GP for support. Remember, a problem shared is a problem halved so don’t feel scared to reach out.
Moving to a new city alone is brave, but you’ll eventually feel settled. We hope this article helps you take the first step to getting to know your new home away from home. Packed and ready to jet off to your new city already? Make sure to take a look at our accommodation locations around the United Kingdom. Book a viewing today to get the process started.
