frootlopes

I'm a freshman at Monmouth University and also a commuter. I decided to go to Monmouth for only one reason: my dad works at Monmouth and I can go for free. I decided that since I'm already saving money why not go ahead and save more by not dorming (which is around $13,000 at Monmouth). If it weren't for my dad, I would never have gone to Monmouth, as I never saw it as the college for me.

Now, I'm having trouble making friends because everyone is generally with each other 24/7 and I'm only on campus around 6-8 hours a day. I talk to people in my classes, but it's really hard to actually become friends while a professor is lecturing. I only have one good friend who is also a commuter and is in the same boat as me. I joined clubs, but they only meet twice a week and sometimes meet at 8 pm, which is really hard for me to go to. I have to stay at Monmouth for at least 2 years, but if things don't get better I'm definitely transferring. Any advice on how to make this better?

musicmom

Any chance you can dorm next year? or even next semester?

It IS more difficult to connect when you commute. A million years ago, I also chose Monmouth for financial reasons (scholarship) and could have commuted.
Parents agreed to fund my expenses living on campus which I am still grateful for. Easier to connect with friends, take on campus jobs, run back to the lab for some catch up work, catch a game, etc.

Smart of you to want to save money by commuting but not if you end up completely hating your 2 or 4 years. Talk with your folks about it. You may be surprised at their take on it.

BTW- loved my time at Monmouth and from everything I've learned lately it's better now than when I attended in many ways.

Best of luck!

CalDud

I don't know if you're the one driving, but you could always stay on campus longer than you have to.