Once you have decided to commute to college, you might feel overwhelmed and unprepared at first, but don't worry, you're not alone. According to a study done at the University of Nevada, about 85% of enrolled college students are commuters. My first week was a little difficult because I was unsure what to expect, but after a few days I was starting to get the hang of it. I have created a list of tips that you can use to make certain you will become a successful college commuter...
1. Plan your route
Before the semester starts, take the time to find the fastest route to your university, as well as searching for alternate routes in case of traffic. This will make you feel more comfortable, ensuring you know how long it will take to get to school under varying circumstances.
2. Leave early
Nothing is worse than being late to a class and having everyone stare you down as you walk in the classroom. To prevent this from happening, plan your trip and leave early to account for traffic and parking. Parking is a major pain, and getting to school early would ensure that you get a parking spot.
3. Check your email before you leave
Imagine making it to school just to find out that your first class is canceled. Make it a priority to check your email every morning before you leave for class.
4. Plan your classes accordingly
When making your schedule for the semester, do your best to plan your classes after one another. As a commuter, you don't have a dorm to return to during your breaks between classes. For me, I would rather get my classes done in the morning and have the rest of the day to catch up on work. This is also helpful for those who have a part time job.
5. Get involved
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved on campus. If you have breaks between classes, this can keep you busy and help you meet new people. This will also help you gain a sense of community and gain connections to people and resources on campus.
6. Snacks, snacks and more snacks
Always keep your backpack and your car supplied with snacks. You never know when you'll be stuck in traffic or need a little pick-me-up. This will allow you to fuel up before class and be prepared throughout the day. Check out this Pinterest board for great snack ideas!
7. Bring a change of clothes
If you find yourself with free time between classes, you might want to use this time to get some exercise. The fitness center is free to all students, so why not utilize this resource and make the most of your time.
8. Keep emergency cash on you
You never know when someone could invite you out to a coffee shop after class. Make sure you have a few extra bucks on you so you can experience these activities.
9. Make your coffee at home
Bring your own coffee on the road with you to save you time and money.
10. Prepare at night
Before you go to bed, make sure your backpack is ready and packed, your alarm is set, your car is full of gas, and your car is supplied with snacks to get you through the day. This will give you peace of mind that you're ready for the day ahead and will save you time and stress in the morning.
I hope that these tips allow you to have the best possible commuter experience. If I left any helpful tips out, or you have any suggestions don't be afraid to leave a comment!
Sources:
Gianoutsos, Dan, "Comparing the student profile characteristics between traditional residential and commuter students at a public, research-intensive, urban commuter university" (2011). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 925. https://digitalscholarship.unthesesdissertations/925
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Is commuting to school right for you?
You're probably thinking to yourself right now, "Do I want to commute to college?", which is most likely why you found yourself reading this blog. The answer doesn't come as easy as we would hope. Do I really want to live with my parents? Do I want to waste all this gas commuting to school? Is it going to be worth it? These are all questions that I asked myself before I made the decision to become a college commuter.
Now, perhaps you're thinking why I decided that commuting would be the best decision for me. I originally started off my college career attending the University of Hartford. I lived on campus, dealt with my fair share of horrible roommates, repulsive community bathrooms, and gut-wrenching cafeteria food. The spring semester of my sophomore year I decided to have doubts whether I wanted to continue my education here. After already making so many friends and establishing my own "group" it was an extremely difficult decision that I had to make about whether I wanted to transfer. Being from the Worcester County area, I knew that Worcester State University was a great college that could offer me everything that I was receiving from the University of Hartford at a fraction of the cost. The decision to become a commuter was honestly a no-brainer. The amount of money that I would be saving from living at home was enough to convince me to commute to college. Another factor that made this decision easier for me was the fact that I already had a lot of friends who I knew that went to Worcester State. I graduated high school with many of them and knew others from work. Okay, I know that as you are reading this you're probably thinking that I had a few factors that made it simpler for me to make the conclusion about whether or not to commute to college: the already existing friendships and the proximity of my home to school. Even though I already knew a good amount of people that went to my University, I wasn't guaranteed to have classes with anyone that I knew, and this encouraged me to make new friends. If you have a reliable vehicle, your college is relatively close to your home, and you are looking to save thousands of dollars, I think that commuting to college is the smartest solution. Although it might seem like you're missing out on "the college experience" from living at home, I can guarantee you that, from my experience, you won't be missing much. Let this give you the opportunity to talk to students in your class and to make friends this way. I encourage this because someone that you befriend might be a resident on campus, which would allow you to have a spot to hang out at between classes and provide you a taste of what it's like to live on campus. If after reading this you're still not sure about whether commuting to school is right for you, I can promise you that it has been the best decision that I have made in my college career. In my next blog post I will be providing tips to being a successful college commuter...stay tuned!