September 2018
Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, I’ve lived in a small, close-knit community my whole life. When I was accepted into the HRD Ph.D. program, I realized I'd be moving away from home for the first time. Regardless of how old you are, packing and leaving all of your family and friends behind isn't easy. Especially considering that before moving to this area, I only knew one person in the Bryan/College Station area.
The first few days after moving were rough, to say the least. I felt lonely and scared of this long academic journey ahead. What I’ve learned over the course of the last month, is that settling into a new city is difficult, but there are ways to make this place feel like home quickly.
1. Spend a day discovering your new city
Not knowing how to get anywhere without using GPS is one thing that can continuously remind you that this place isn't home. To get myself acquainted with the area, I spent afternoons getting lost and finding my way around Bryan/College Station. I'd pick a place I was trying to get to, look at my GPS and try and memorize the route, and then drive. I decided to use the GPS as little as possible because I was okay with getting lost. In the process of getting lost and finding my intended destination, I discovered other places as well! Knowing my way to and from places makes me feel more like a local, rather than a person who just moved here.
2. Make a new home for yourself
The first few days in my apartment felt awful. I had trouble sleeping, felt uncomfortable, and felt like I was living in a stranger’s apartment. That being said, I picked one room in my apartment to make the comfiest/homiest that I could. For me, it was my living room since this is where I spend the majority of my time. I shopped around for home decor sales (Hobby Lobby, y'all! 50% off every other week) and made the living room into my favorite place to be when I'm not on campus. To add something special to my living room, I used a picture frame and created a collage of cards given to me by friends to place in it. This picture frame is one of my favorite things in my apartment because it's a daily reminder that I have people who care and love me.
3. Discover campus
Having done my undergrad at another institution, A&M was entirely new for me. I'd highly recommend taking an afternoon to walk around campus and see what it has to offer. Instead of just walking straight to your car or the bus stop, take a detour and walk another way, or check out a building on the way.
Doing small things like this has helped me get settled and make Aggieland feel like home.
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Jessica Martinez
Jessica is a PhD student in the department of Human Resource Development
The first few days after moving were rough, to say the least. I felt lonely and scared of this long academic journey ahead. What I’ve learned over the course of the last month, is that settling into a new city is difficult, but there are ways to make this place feel like home quickly.
1. Spend a day discovering your new city
Not knowing how to get anywhere without using GPS is one thing that can continuously remind you that this place isn't home. To get myself acquainted with the area, I spent afternoons getting lost and finding my way around Bryan/College Station. I'd pick a place I was trying to get to, look at my GPS and try and memorize the route, and then drive. I decided to use the GPS as little as possible because I was okay with getting lost. In the process of getting lost and finding my intended destination, I discovered other places as well! Knowing my way to and from places makes me feel more like a local, rather than a person who just moved here.
2. Make a new home for yourself
The first few days in my apartment felt awful. I had trouble sleeping, felt uncomfortable, and felt like I was living in a stranger’s apartment. That being said, I picked one room in my apartment to make the comfiest/homiest that I could. For me, it was my living room since this is where I spend the majority of my time. I shopped around for home decor sales (Hobby Lobby, y'all! 50% off every other week) and made the living room into my favorite place to be when I'm not on campus. To add something special to my living room, I used a picture frame and created a collage of cards given to me by friends to place in it. This picture frame is one of my favorite things in my apartment because it's a daily reminder that I have people who care and love me.
3. Discover campus
Having done my undergrad at another institution, A&M was entirely new for me. I'd highly recommend taking an afternoon to walk around campus and see what it has to offer. Instead of just walking straight to your car or the bus stop, take a detour and walk another way, or check out a building on the way.
Doing small things like this has helped me get settled and make Aggieland feel like home.
---
Jessica Martinez
Jessica is a PhD student in the department of Human Resource Development