With COVID-19 vaccines being distributed and life returning to some sense of normalcy, young adults are thinking about going to college elsewhere again. While Los Angeles was one of the virus hot spots, California’s virus numbers are some of the lowest in the country right now. People will return to LA to follow their dreams and soak up the sun. Still, Los Angeles can be an inaccessible city for anyone who isn’t familiar with it. If you’re a college student thinking about coming to the city for school, here are some tips to make your college experience more pleasant and productive.
Decide on the School First
There are so many different colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area. While you might want to come to the city because you want to follow a dream, you should first consider what school you will go to. It’s vital to first decide on the school before you come to a huge, expensive city like Los Angeles. There is USC, UCLA, Pepperdine, Emerson College, Cal State Long Beach, and many, many more. Before you get excited about coming to LA, find the right school.
You’ll Need a Car
Depending on where you’re coming from, you might not be used to needing a car the same way you will need one in Los Angeles. Particularly if you’re from another city, a car might not be a part of your daily life. This will change drastically when you move to LA. The public transportation system isn’t good and Southern California is very large. You will need to have a car not just to get around but to explore other places in the area while you’re here for college. If you have a car already, definitely think about bringing it to LA. However you look at it, you should know that if you move to Los Angeles, you will have to have a car. It’s not really an option.
Take School Seriously
Los Angeles is a city of entertainment and nightlife, but it’s important to take school seriously when you come here for college. The universities are very expensive so you don’t want to waste any money. You will be able to have fun, but it’s always necessary to put school first. Luckily, there are a variety of tools to use to facilitate your education. A Cornell notes template, for example, will help you become a great note-taker, a skill that is very necessary for any student. LA is an expensive place to live and study, don’t waste any time or money by slacking off.
Decide Where to Live & If You Can Afford It
Once you have decided on the school, the next step is to think about where you are going to live. Will you live on or off-campus? Every university has its own dorm prices and situation. There are many different neighborhoods. None of the neighborhoods in Los Angeles can be considered cheap, but they vary. The real estate market in California is complex. Before you can fully commit to moving to the city, you should decide what you can afford.
Be Ready For the Riff Raff
You probably know that Los Angeles is known for homelessness and unsavory characters, but it can be difficult to describe until you get here. LA is a complicated, messy place that has infrastructure issues and inequalities. There are race and class issues. On the street you will experience strange situations. If you are from a small town or a tame city, be ready for anything but that when you come to Los Angeles.
Moving to a new city and going to college there can be quite difficult. You will need to prepare for all these things before you come to the impenetrable city of Los Angeles. If you feel like you’re ready to dive into the new life that waits here for you, make the proper preparations and you will be able to get along fine in La La Land. If you can afford it, ready your applications, start looking at places to live, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. One thing’s for sure, you won’t forget your experience in LA.
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