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What are some tips for preparing to enroll in graduate school in a completely new city?

I just got accepted into grad school in Dallas, and I am a little frightened to be moving to a new place! Does anyone have any tips on forming friendships and finding your place in a new place?

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Shaun’s Answer

Congratulations!!! I would make an effort to visit the city as soon as you can. Try to stay a day or two or more if you can and try to walk around the area, visit different parts of the city especially where your school is and take in the atmosphere, the landscape and what is there (shops, restaurants, coffeeshops, parks, etc). It will help give you a better idea of your new environment and make you more familiar. To form friendships, I would start with classmates/roommates ect first and get to know them. Then you can also try to meet people through people! That helps too that as someone you know meets new people go places with them too. Don't be afraid to say hi and chat. You can also try to join local groups (book clubs, run clubs, etc) and chat and meet people there too!
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Jasmine’s Answer

Incredible! Moving to a new city like Dallas for graduate school is a super cool milestone, but it’s completely natural to feel that mix of excitement and "new city nerves." The best way to start finding your place is to lean into the built-in community your program provides like your grad school cohorts, you'll find a sense of friendship (and shared support) there! You can see about hanging out "first week" to break the ice and form some bonds outside of just the work. Always good to remember that there will be folks who want to make friends too! Look for graduate student organizations and on campus areas where students and folks hang out. Be on the look out for events and clubs that fit your interest/hobbies too to meet folks who like similar things!

To truly make a city feel like home, you have to bridge the gap between the campus and the local community. Explore Dallas by finding a "third place"—a specific coffee shop, park, or hobby-based club (like a run club, intramural sports league, or volunteer group) where you can show up consistently. Consistency is the secret ingredient to friendship; seeing the same faces week after week makes organic conversations much easier. Additionally, reach out to the alumni network, and see about best areas and hidden gems in the city. Give yourself patient with yourself during this transition, as it takes time to build a foundation! If you stay curious and say "yes" to those early invitations, you'll find that the frightening "unknown" quickly turns into a community you're proud to be a part of. Best wishes, you got this!
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