A 2.5 year suspension must have been the consequence of serious improper actions. Broad based advice may be inappropriate in your case. Did the wrongful actions include any act or acts of violence or of threatening violence ? If so, you need to discuss this with an experienced college counselor or attorney with whom you share the particulars of the situation.
Another factor that may come into play is whether or not you plan to reside on campus.
In short, tough to offer advice without more specifics.
P.S. Your post focuses on time rather than on reform/personal growth. Time alone is unlikely to clear your record, but cannot say with certainty as the offending actions are unknown to us.
A 2.5 year suspension seems to have been designed to get you off campus and out of that particular school. A lengthy suspension avoids possible litigation over expulsion, but might be the equivalent if reapplication would be required for you to return to your original school.
P.S. Another poster privately made a spot-on observation regarding this situation: Suggested that the length of the suspension–2.5 years–might be the time necessary for one (possible victim) to finish his/her degree.This should assure that the two have no further on-campus contact. Makes sense to me–although it is just speculation.