Congratulations again on getting into the PhD program! I hope you’ve been able to enjoy your summer a little bit before the semester kicks off in the fall. If you’re anything like I was, you’re probably trying to juggle resting and also slightly (or severely) stressing about the moving logistics for starting your PhD program. Not only do you need to figure out what you’re going to buy, but you also need to also decide which things you’ll buy in your current location vs your new location, and how you’ll transport everything! Hopefully by now you’ve settled on a place, so you can focus on the more complex logistics of moving. Please, take a deep breath (in through your nose, out through your mouth). It’s going to be okay, and I’m here to share a few tips to hopefully make this moving process less stressful!
Okay, so first things first! Make a list! If you’re moving into an already furnished place (thankfully, that was my case) it’s important to know which things are included so that you’re not buying unnecessary items. It’s also a good idea to identify the items that you already have, and put all of this on the list. Then, start listing out the things that you need, don’t focus yet on whether you have it or need to buy it, but just list everything out. Some people organize it by living space, which can be helpful so you don’t forget anything. Here, I’ve hyperlinked a Google Sheet that has a sample apartment budget template—hope it’s helpful (I forgot where I got this from, but I did not make this, so shout out to the original creator of this template!)
Next, once you’ve made your list of everything you’ll need, it’s helpful to narrow down the list to your essentials, which you can mark by highlighting or some other special way. For example,you may want a TV for your living room, but this is not an essential thing that you’ll need right away, so try to narrow down the list to key items. Some helpful questions to narrow down the list include, “What will I need for one night? What will I need for one week? What will I need for one month?” Something I wish I would have kept in perspective is that you DON’T need to buy everything at once (honestly a life lesson too, y’all), but start with the essential things and then overtime you can work your way up–it’s good for your brain and your budget.
Then, after you’ve identified the essentials, it’s time to figure out which location you’ll buy the things you don’t have. Depending on when you move into your new city and how you get there, that will determine how much you’ll want to buy ahead of time versus the things that you purchase after you move in. For example, I moved to St. Louis about two weeks before classes began, and I drove 6 hours from Columbus with my dad. Since I was driving, I bought a lot of things beforehand such as cookware, bedding, bathroom supplies, etc. If you’re flying or don’t have much space to bring things, depending on the difference in cost of living (and your access to a car—I didn’t have a car in St. Louis so I wanted to do as much of the shopping beforehand when I was at home), you could also consider shipping your things (if you already have some things or choose to buy it in your current location).
Now, as for how to go about actually buying things, here are some tips:
- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX-FREE WEEKEND TO BUY A LOT OF YOUR THINGS!!! (please)
- It differs per state, so please check when this is for you
- Some great stores for apartment essentials include Target (I got most of my things from there), Home Goods and of course, Amazon.
- Checkout Facebook Marketplace! I didn’t get to use it when I was moving in, but would definitely recommend it!
- Ask someone to add you to your university’s Free and for Sale Facebook group
- Undergrads are always selling things!
- Look for items on Facebook around the beginning and end of the semester!
- This is a great time to get great deals because students are moving out
- Ask the graduate students in your program if they are selling things
- Sometimes students leaving the PhD will sell things
- Ask other grad students to help you move in, and offer to help them, too!
- This could be a great opportunity to make new friends and get to know people before the semester begins
I hope this advice helps alleviate some of the moving stress. And the best stress relief of all is the beautiful reminder that God is leading you. Just trust in Him, and know that it will all work together for your good. He promises to prepare a place, so just follow Him.
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” Exodus 23:20 NIV
Do you have other moving tips to share? Feel free to comment below! 🙂
Writing Song: Hidden Here by Tiffany Hudson (LOVEEEEE THIS ALBUM!)
WhollyRebecca 