Thank you JStanley and Dalmation for your advice...it is very appreciated!

I've received mixed feedback from friends and co-workers about what to do. Some say the commute won't be bad since it's only a few days a week (with exception to July) and others are saying just move and get it over with. However, none of these people have been in a PhD program, so I wanted to seek advice from those who can give me some insight as to what to expect. JStanley you made a good point about getting a lot of work done at home. So I considered where I would be more focused. New Orleans is a busier city than Baton Rouge (obviously :-)), yet Baton Rouge is the ultimate college town. Granted, I do not get out much, but I should consider which would be less of a distraction. Dalmation you make a great point about being close to the academic community, and that is something that I need to think about. Doctoral work is a whole different league. I know it will require tons more work than what I did for my master's degrees. It will take about 4 years to complete my coursework and my advisor says that in my 4th year I can begin working on plans for dissertation research. I assume that the closer that I get to my dissertation plans, the more crucial it is to be on campus regularly and near my professors, correct? How drastic does the workload change from the beginning of studies to approaching dissertation plans? I am sure every program is different, but in your experience, how was it?

Thanks again for your input!

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this site but grateful that I stumbled upon it as I am seeking advice. :)

Last week, I received a call informing me that I have been accepted into LSU to begin studying for my PhD in Social Work. While I am overwhelmed with joy and excitement, this great news has brought upon a lot of thoughts about what this will mean for me in the next few years. My biggest issue is whether to relocate or not, which is what I could use some input about. I currently stay in New Orleans. I relocated here last July for a teaching position, with no friends or family in the city. I've grown accustomed to the city. Now I am trying to decide if it will be necessary to move to Baton Rouge (1 hour 30 mins away). My courses start in July, which is when I will be taking a class Monday through Thursday, 8:30-4:30. I will have no choice whether or not to commute because my lease won't be up. However, I am considering what to do upon ending my lease and deciding whether to make the move to Baton Rouge or stick it out in New Orleans. My argument for staying: I am knocking my Stats out the way this year, which mean I will only be attending part-time. I will take 4 hours each semester (not including the summer course), which will be Stats and a Lab. It will only require me to be at LSU one day a week for about 4-5 hours. The schedule will be similar for the Spring. After my first year, I will be taking 2-3 courses per semester. These classes will be on one or two days during the week, depending on scheduling. I feel like even with those few days of classes a week, the 90 minute commute may be doable. However, I consider the other side of this. It is doctoral-level work, which I feel that I will need to spend as much time as possible on campus, in my department, around my cohort, in the library, etc. I think a part of my indecisiveness is knowing that this will truly be a lot of work, but not really grasping the magnitude of the work (if that makes sense). This is new to me, yet like any other PhD student, I want to do my best work (which is an understatement!). So from your experience as a PhD student, is it worth the 90-minute commute to class or should I bite the bullet and move? Anyone with knowledge of the N.O. to Baton Rouge commute, your advice is appreciated!

Thank you in advance!