I’m going into my third year of college. I don’t have a car and I still don’t have my license. I lived on campus for my first two years, so I didn’t really need one. I don’t plan on living on campus this upcoming year. Most likely, my dad will have to drop me off on campus before he goes to work, then pick me up when he gets off. I just find it a little embarrassing to be getting dropped off at college by my dad. I see many students that drive themselves. It just makes me feel like a child. What do you guys think?
I don’t think it’s embarrassing-- not sure who would actually notice-- so much as very inconvenient. If your class gets cancelled for whatever reason, you’re stuck. If you want to meet with a study group, or have a cup of coffee with friends, you’re stuck. If dad has to stay late or go in early to work, you’re stuck. If the class you want to take doesn’t coincide with dad’s hours, you’re stuck.
I would suggest either getting your licence and a car or continuing to live on or within a bus route of campus.
I have a woman in her late 40’s that works for me and her mom drops her off and picks her up almost every day. I wouldn’t worry about it. Nobody is really going to care much about it and most people probably won’t even notice.
NOBODY is going to notice or care who drops you off at college. It’d not a prestige thing. It’s a convenience or cost thing. In year 1 through 4, we dropped my son off at his college, which was about 200 miles from home. In year 1 we did the same for my daughter, but her college was about 700 miles from home; in subsequent years, she traveled on her own by plane.
I think it’s very helpful in year 1 for parents to be there, to help address any issues on initial signups for health care, setting up banking arrangements, and to get a sense of the housing situation. (For both kids we returned on “parents weekend” that year to help do some shopping and fill needs for dorm furniture, etc.) After year 1, it doesn’t much matter, but that may depend in part on the housing situation, the need to bring or help shop for furniture or other things for off-campus, and so on.
When we were at my dd’s college town, she asked us to drop her off and pick her up every day we were there.
She didn’t want to hassle with having to try to park and walk a long way to get to class.
While we were there she said she loved the limousine service from us.
She normally biked into class every day or took the bus.
Nobody cared about us dropping her off. Why would they?
It’s more weird that you are in your third year of college and don’t have your license, I would work on that. He is taking you to school everyday? Regardless, no one cares, but I can see why you would be embarrassed. Think of it as a carpool situation, you are saving gas and the environment.
If your dad has to start driving you and your dates around, yes, that is weird.
@mackinaw OP is not talking about getting dropped off for the year - they’re going to be a commuter student relying on a parent daily.
I commuted to school and couldn’t afford a car until year 2. I either rode with others who lived nearby or my Mom drove me as she worked nearby. This isn’t the same as getting dropped off in front of your high school - no one will care.
I agree with others. This is a matter of convenience. No one else is going to care. There are plenty of college students who don’t have a car. There are some students who have a car but don’t use it to go to classes because gas and parking cost money.
However, at some point you will want to get a license. I suppose if you don’t have a car it doesn’t matter much whether you do this now (over the summer break) or next summer or when you graduate. Once you start looking for a job, depending upon where you look there is a good chance that you will need a car to get to interviews and to get to work.
I have a parent friend who is dropping her kids off at college (a freshman and a sophomore this year). They see other people doing it, too. The U is in a high cost of living area where kids who can live at home often do.
College isn’t like high school. No one will care, or even notice, who drops you off. If they even do notice, they seriously won’t care.
My kids lived at college, but one of them still doesn’t have his license, and the younger one finally got his this year at 24. If it doesn’t bother your father, and you can do all the things you need to do on campus on his schedule (meet faculty, use the library, participate in extra-curricular activities) save your money. Few will notice or care.
You’re not alone. My 20 year old son just has a driving permit. He is.working at a camp this summer, so probably won’t get a license til winter break.
@Devin2019 I really hope you aren’t seriously embarrassed that your parent is driving you to college.
I see now that you will need to be dropped off for your classes as you will be living at home. Honestly…I can’t see the issue. Dad drops you off…and drives away. Who is going to care or notice?
I think this is much do about nothing. Be thankful your dad has the time to drive you.
This is saving you the cost of owning a car, getting insurance, paying for parking at the school. Etc. it’s a very nice thing for your dad to do for you. Or the cost of paying fro public transportation.
It is a convenience and a cost thing. THANK your dad for trying to help you. Let him know you appreciate it. That added driving while trying to get to work is more stress for your dad not to mention more mileage on his car while trying to save on dorm living expenses. Isn’t that added responsibility and stress on your dad a more important concern than the issue of you being dropped off to college and getting embarrassed. (for no reason) If you consider the cost of a car, insurance, gas, repairs from wear and tear, and parking on campus adds up to a lot of money that not everyone has.
If you are embarrassed then you can always take a bus and go on your own.
That way your dad will only have to worry about his commute to work.
Appreciate what your parents do for you and be grateful.
You should be happy not to take the bus! You save 5K/yr and time by not using a car too. Say thank you Dad , you are awesome.
Few people will notice and virtually none of them will care. And aren’t you fortunate that your father can drive you!
Agree, nobody will notice. And if you are going to commute maybe it is time to get your permit.
Are you concerned your friends will notice because you used to live on campus? A lot of upperclassmen move off campus. I wouldn’t worry about it.
It is more and more common for young people to not have their license.
Are you living in an apartment (I thought) or at home?
Reframe the situation - you are carpooling.