All day today I’ve been trying to figure out how I’m going to get all of my stuff up to NYC for this coming year. I never knew moving to the Big Apple could become such a nightmare so quickly. Thankfully, I’ve found a roommate that I know I get along with, but that doesn’t make the apartment hunt any easier.
In New York you can’t begin apartment hunting until the month before you want to move in—and some might even tell you that’s too early. For an August 1 move-in, I’m STILL being told I’m looking too early. I wanted to have an apartment solidified for this year back in May… C’est la vie, I guess, but it’s beyond stressful. I should just let it go and know I’ll find something when I get up there, but that’s hard to do because of how plan-oriented I am. I want to know where I’m staying, what day I’m moving in, how I’m going to furnish it and what it’s going to cost. I can’t even pretend to know any of that now. As much as I love the city, I am rapidly starting to hate its real estate system.
I have been on Craigslist, PadMapper, Rent.com and any other apartment searching website there is, but that doesn’t really help because they are all looking for the same thing—someone to sign a lease today and move in tomorrow. Clearly, I can’t do that.
You know what the worst part is? According to every piece of documentation I’ve come across, the Graduate PLUS loan will help pay for rent and living expenses while you’re in school, but here’s the trouble: Columbia needs to know I’m an enrolled and registered student before they can disburse that money to me. That means I won’t see it until August 6, which is more than a week after I need to move in because orientation starts on August 2. That means I’ll have to figure out some way to put a deposit down on an apartment, feed myself, get a MetroCard and find some kind of furniture all without loan assistance. Huzzah.
I’m reminded of one of my first blog posts—you’re free to check it out here.
Now, with that being said, I don’t think I’d trade this craziness for a moment. And I know it will get ten times crazier once I move up there and really start my courses. I know this is the opportunity of a lifetime—my big break, my window of opportunity, and I don’t intend to squander it. I’m convinced that students get out of education only what they are willing to put into it. While I’m in the city I plan to go above and beyond in my academics. Some people have said, “in New York you can finally start dating!” or, “you’re going to have so much fun going out with friends at night!” Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’ll do a little bit of those, but I fully plan to invest myself into my education; my degree is my number one priority. No slacking allowed.
So, Columbia Lions, are you prepared for your centennial class of j-school? I sure hope so because if open house was any indication, you’ve never seen anything like what we’re all bringing.
Roar Lions.
Turner G. Cowles 