Mind4Youth

Author: Ruolan Crocetti

Among the endless changes that high school graduates experience in the summer before college, for some, preparing to move to a city is on that list.

Moving to a city after graduation has often been seen as a rite of passage–a symbol of becoming an adult and “making it.” But, this rite doesn’t come without a few caveats that can be difficult to manage amongst mounting deadlines and busy social calendars. Murphy Corocan, a graduate of
NYU and Hunter College and LMHC says “Moving to a city gave me access to a lot of fun activities and people, but it also reinforced some underlying anxiety I had for my safety. I had to adapt to the crowded trains and sidewalks. I’m used to the lifestyle now, but moving to NYC made me very anxious at first.”

Since COVID-19, the population of major US cities has fluctuated, but most have been able to maintain a surplus of residents. A Bloomberg article describes the repopulation of cities after COVID, stating, “Young people began to head back into cities to access their labor markets, amenities, dating pools and social opportunities” (Florida, 2023). Those reasons intend to portray the positive aspects of living in a city, but the potential challenges should also be highlighted for future metropolitans to be better prepared for their new adventure.

Challenge: I feel like everyone knows where they’re going and has a group of friends while I’m still trying to meet new people.
Solution: Being alone in a city would be a huge adjustment for anyone, but it’s also the part that’s the most fun. It’s normal to feel lonely in a new place, but in a city, you definitely don’t look any different. An easy way to meet people is in your residence! If you’re living in a dorm, your floormates are a great way to get to know other people in the same boat as you, or, if you’re in an apartment building, your neighbors could be your new best friends. Seek out opportunities that interest you like art workshops or house shows and you can meet people there who share similar interests as you! While it can feel discouraging to be the new person, it just means there are opportunities ahead for you to connect with others!

Challenge: I have a lot of anxiety about public transportation and how to use it.
Solution: It’s easy to feel lost in an unfamiliar city, especially when there’s so much you want to explore but don’t know where to start. A lot of cities with public transportation have extremely useful websites and apps to help you plan how to get to your destination! For example, the MBTA in Boston has a great Trip Planner feature for users. In New York City, the MTA has a
dedicated Schedules page to plan for any transfers you might have to make! If you want to get to know the city more, walking is another great option. Rising senior at Boston University, Chase Thuleen, who relocated to Boston from Boise, Idaho says, “I think one of the upsides to life at least in some cities is the public transportation and ability to walk places. There’s a much more spontaneous freedom of movement.”

Challenge: I feel overwhelmed trying to balance making plans, exploring the city, and a bunch of assignments that I can’t seem to focus on.
Solution: The first month of school is full of a packed social calendar and adjusting to a heavier workload with classes. One method to help yourself feel more organized is to create a rough-draft of a weekly schedule. “Rough-draft” means that you have an estimated time each day to complete schoolwork, hang out with friends, and try something new. By creating patterns to complete certain tasks, you will feel less overwhelmed by the endless options of activity. A great way to combine hanging out with friends and getting work done is by going to a library and doing work together. Cities invest in their libraries and other public spaces to ensure
accessibility to the people who live in surrounding areas (which means they’re a nice escape from the busy streets).

Learning to live in a city can be a big change, and it’s not always easy. With so many plans to make and the pressure to fit in, it can feel pretty overwhelming. But don’t forget to celebrate the small wins, like finding your way home without Google Maps or knowing how many subway stops you need before getting off. Take your time to get used to everything, and try to enjoy the adventure as much as you can!

Works Cited

Florida, Richard. “Three Years into the Pandemic, the ‘Urban Exodus’ Was Overblown.” Bloomberg.Com, Bloomberg, 14 Apr. 2023,
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-04-14/three-years-into-the-pandemic-the-urban-exodus-was-overblown.