The thought of saving a few thousand dollars a semester by living at home sounds pretty good in the long run. Having home cooked meals, mom to do your laundry and the comfort of your own bed also sound rather enticing when you think about it. However, just as being a commuter student has it's fair share of perks, it most certainly has it's daily struggles.
1. Having to wake up at 5:30 A.M for an 8 A.M class.
As a commuter student, it nearly kills me when a student living on campus says, "I can't believe I have to wake up at 7:30 A.M for my 8 A.M class!" Ha! We commuters have to find time to wake up before the sun get's up, get ready and get out the door with enough time to gulp down our morning coffee and try not to fall asleep at the wheel. And don't even get me started on unexpected traffic jams!
2. Having a stronger bond with your car than you do with other students.
Whether it be taking naps in your back seat between classes, or using it as an extension of your backpack, as a commuter student you find that you'll spend more time in your car than with friends. And whether it be having an extra change of clothes or a stack of textbooks in your back seat, your car can get a little messy.
3. Your version of a wild night is driving the whole way home with your gas light on.
Let's face it, driving to and from campus everyday whether you live down the road or are faced with a 30 minute parkway commute, your gas tank will be crying and so will your wallet. You just better hope your car doesn't die in the middle of rush hour.
4. Traffic.
Even though you probably know seven alternate routes in case of an accident on the Parkway and if you take public transportation you know the struggles of stopping a thousand times, you will ultimately and most likely daily get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. And the most frustrating part? There's nothing you can do about it and your professors won't care either.
5. The war zone that is the parking lot.
So after you sit through a grueling hour of traffic, you know your next mission, find a parking spot. Of course, you drive through the commuter lots and find nothing. Or, you see something like this.
With no other choice, you are forced to become creative.
6. Or when you're being stalked in the parking lot by another commuter so they can steal your spot.
Although we all do it, it is really irritating, especially when they give you attitude and speed off when you tell them you're just dropping off some books.
7. Flaky Professors who cancel class last minute after you drove all the way to campus.
Dear Professors, please send emails or notifications if you decide to cancel class. And please do so in a timely fashion. Sincerely, every commuter student.
8. You feel like an outcast on campus.
The truth is that it's harder to make friends when you aren't on campus 24/7. After you begin to see all the cliques forming, you start to feel like an outcast. But fear not! All commuters feel like this at one point.
9. People will pity you.
You'll be surprised about the amount of people that feel bad for you for "missing out on the college experience." Your fellow students will actually be perplexed by your choice of saving thousands of dollars. I mean after all, who really wants to live in their own home, eat home cooked meals and cuddle up on the couch with their dog?
10. College, in general is a rough ride.
So from one commuter student to another, no matter how hard the struggle may be, just remember you are not alone. Work hard and stay in school, you'll get through it!
