Commuting to College?

harvestmoon
Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:53:43 +0000

I commute. It normally takes me 45 minutes to get to my university with good traffic, but as of late with construction, it takes closer to an hour. Also, during rush hour traffic, it can take up to one hour and 20 minutes.

I’ve lived on campus before as well, and while I hate driving and always joke that I live in my car, I actually sort of prefer commuting. I mean, it sucks that I can’t just go out whenever, but that’s actually a GOOD thing. I study much better because I don’t have as many distractions, and also, I can get some work done in the car. I’m a French major and so either listen to French music or to my audio CDs for my classes while I’m driving, so I’d consider my drives somewhat productive.

Additionally, I have friends that live on campus or a short drive from campus, so I can always stay for a night or two if I’m completely burnt or if I want to have a girls night or something. I find that it actually is cheaper for me to commute, and I’m happy to be in no debt.

Overall, I’d say that you’re in a great position because you love your school. You think it’s challenging and it gives you what you want, and that’s wonderful. Most people don’t get the chance to be so happy so close to home, so just think of it as an advantage!

You can still have a good college experience if you don’t live on campus. It just won’t occur so naturally - - you have to put yourself out there and make friends since you don’t have the default of hanging out with your roommate or people on your floor. This happens also naturally once you get going with your major and have the same classes with the same people year after year. I’m a junior this year and this couldn’t be more true this year. All of us in these upper level French courses took the same prereqs and have seen each other at department events or have studied abroad together, so we are tight. It just happens that way and you find yourself having inside jokes with them and going places after class.

Good luck and enjoy yourself! It’s not where you live but what you DO.

ETA: even with my long commute, I have a job on campus, am président of a club, am an active participant of another, have stellar grades, have won awards, and am involved with my majors’ departments.

Yes i lived on campus a couple semesters, but I’ve been most involved when I’ve lived at home. Sometimes I just don’t go home until night and so spend my entire day on campus.

It can be done, but only if you make it happen.