Commuting Questions

WallyxD · August 17, 2011, 7:27am

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I wanted to know if you guys could give me a short list of disadvantages/advantages of commuting. I can't get a student loan anywhere, and I have 23k to pay, and being that I can't get student loans, my mom will have to pay that in 10 months, just for my freshman year, so I'm thinking about just commuting, where it'll be 12k less. Besides the fact that you save money by commuting what are some other advantages.? I only live 25 minutes away from campus so it's not that far of a drive.
I just need enough 'info' so I can make my final decision. I start school in less than a month. Thanks :)

Also, I'm looking at my schedule, and on monday/wednesday, I have a class from 10:20 to 11:20, and then my next class on those days would be from 2:50 to 4:20. Would it make sense to you guys to go home during those 3 hours, if I wasn't able to find anything to do in between those classes.?

StraightsJacket · August 17, 2011, 7:35am

Fuel costs would be the only disadvantage I can see. You'd still spend more by not communting though.

11:20 - 2:50 I'd just eat lunch, work on any assignments in that free time you have instead of driving back and forth. Plan on bringing some entertainment with you.

JenniferinFL · August 17, 2011, 10:19am

I really like commuting. Sure, you miss out on part of the college experience, but, I've always found it more convenient. When I was 18 it was convenient because I didn't have to leave my pets behind.
I have a couple longer gaps, I'm sure some days you'll drive home in between, but, whenever you can I would just find a quiet place and use that as quality study time. I'm so easily distracted at home that sometimes it's just nice to stay at school and use that time to get some solid studying in

lacimichelle · August 17, 2011, 11:52am

For 12 grand less, just commute! You can always crash at a friends dorm if you end up staying there super late. Just make sure you make friends and stay for study sessions. I can't do that with kids and the late study sessions are the only thing I miss that I wish I could be there for and the 3 hours driving a day sucks but I do it!

RioBravo · August 17, 2011, 12:18pm

I commuted last year and it was not that bad. I didn't even have a car, I had to use public transportation. For going to/from class it was fine but I was active in one club that met later in the day, and had I not been able to borrow my dad's car I probably could not have been a part of the club since it would have been a ***** to make it to meetings. I usually didn't mind the commute either... gave me time to relax, think about the day, etc. Despite having two baby brothers it was still a lot more quiet than a dorm, and my dad and stepmom gave me my space.

If I had a car of my own I wouldn't be opposed to commuting again but alas I don't have one so I'm moving close to campus. 25 minutes of driving each way isn't bad. I'd suggest staying on campus for that three hour block if you can. I had that same thing every Friday last semester and I found it not too difficult to kill time. I'd usually do homework from 11-noonish, get lunch, then catch an improv comedy act that happened every Friday around 1. Sit through most of it, then walk to my 2 o'clock class. I admit a three hour block of free time seemed awful at first but I got used to it.

About the only bad part of commuting is that it makes it harder to get involved on campus as well as making friends IME. It can get annoying driving to and from campus multiple times for meetings. If you go to a party you better hope you have somewhere to sleep or you better not drink.

If it was a $2,000 difference I'd suggest on-campus living but at $12K? No question, commute. It's not as awful as some people on here would make it out to be, and it's obviously a hell of a lot cheaper for you.