hi, how are you all? I am new here although I have read some of the other posts. I just thought that perhaps someone may have some good advice out there for me. So here it is...I've been awarded my scholarhip and have to do two hours teaching a week but the university is about a four hour drive away so need to relocate. How do people afford to do this at such short notice? I'm meant to start in September and dont know whether to sell everything in my possession or just turn the place down and reapply next year. What do you all think? How did you manage? Thank you for your help in advance :)

depends how badly you want that scholarship, I guess. In my case,being poor (no property or posessions to worry about relocating, just some books) and determined helped me to take the decision to relocate to the UK from Poland as soon as I knew that I received a scholarship offer.

thanks for your reply annie, yeah the thing is i cant really afford it so not to sure how to proceed...just need to have a good think i suppose

Just go!

I woud just take the scholarship - it is the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to have the money AND time to do a PhD.

Good luck!

Hi f0xie

Sounds like a case of the jitters to me. I say just go for it, if a PhD is what you really want (as seems to be the case - viz reapplying next year). There seem to be two questions here - how to prepare and how to afford. If you have a scholarship, presumably that means funding, live simply (then afford) - of course, doesn't work so well if you have dependents. As to preparing - you have one/two months? Could you store your belongings somewhere? I did this at short notice (amongst friends) - even a sofa... lots of lofts out there.

[part 2]. And, besides, would postponing a year really help you? More time, same fears potentially. Also, you may not be successful when reapplying. Other possible option - could you split residence, 4 days at uni, 3 at current home? Probably not so easy on funding. Main thing is, you do have options... you just need to decide what's most important to you at this moment in time. The PhD or time to sort your life out. Go for it, and good luck.

If you don't mind me asking, why did you apply for it if you thought the distance was a problem? You can always work out some arrangement. Once you start, things will move easily. You might be able to do your teaching as 1 full day a month or something, if you can come to some kind of arrangement with your university. I am funded and I live 3 hours away from my University. I work from home, and go to my University once a month or every two months. It worked out just fine. Good luck with everything.

I'm due to sart in september and relocating 300 miles across the country. I've lived in this city for 7 years and gotta move all that stuff. That said i don't own my own house which makes it easier. Not sure if this helps, but wanted to let you kow other people are in the positon of having to relocate short notice.

I'm too am curious why you applied for this studentship if location was going to be a problem.

And it's not exactly as though it is short notice is it? I mean I spent my twenties/early thirties moving around the country to a new job every couple of years, with one months notice, finishing work in one place on Friday and starting new job the following Monday. and no, there were no 'relocation packages' in the jobs I was doing.

yeah you are all right, i think it is just a severe case of 'the jitters'. I know I would regret it if i didnt go. Thank you fo all of your replies :)

I shipped my entire family 250 miles with just 6 weeks notice for my BA!!! And that included selling a house (it completed after I'd moved). Go there this weekend get on the books of some property agents, case out potential living areas. OR if you are alone see what halls are available for PG students. GO FOR IT...don't let mundane issues stop you..dare to live "feel the fear and do it anyway"

Hi there, I'm in with the others - go for it if your really want to do this PhD! I didn't have ties when I started my PhD so it was easy - but now I have a mortgage and way too much stuff. I met a guy who lives 200 miles away, so rented out my flat, moved in with him, and now make an appearance at the university every few weeks - though admittedly I'm writing up now. But I have a lot of friends who do most of their work in another country (for fieldwork in their case mostly but some based in the other country too), and only come back to the university for short spells to meet supervisors and other specialists in their field to exchange ideas. You could either commute occasionally, or take your time to move - there's no rush - you could commute until you managed to find somewhere to move to. Everything is possible (especially when you have funding!).