Most college campuses require you to live on campus up until junior year. But if you live local, you may be given the option to live off campus and be a commuter student. Wheather you are living in your own apartment off campus, or still with your parents, there are a few struggles we all know to be true.
1. Parking 
Parking is something that is at the top of the list when it comes to commuter struggles. When you have a 9 am class, and you are running late, finding a parking spot that doesn't require you to hike halfway across the campus is pretty impossible. Not to mention, even if you do find a parking spot, you have to parallel park in it, and we all know you can't do that.
2. Weather
If you live in a place where they experience winter, and you have to drive back and forth to classes every day, it can be a pain because professors won't cancel even if you are snowed into your driveway. Also, you have to wake up extra early in the winter because if you don't you'll be late. None of it is really fair.
3. You Have To Leave Campus To Get Lunch 
Now, this isn't always the case. Some commuters still opt to purchase a meal plan, and some don't. Your options are either buy a meal plan, pay 10 dollars cash for a lunch that isn't even that great, or leave the campus. Some days this isn't a problem, but when it comes to not having a ton of time, money or gas; it is a problem.
4. You Live Out Of Your Car
When you are a commuter student, the backseat of your car becomes your home away from home. You have clothes, textbooks, and even food back there. You may even find a blanket and a pillow for when you want to take a quick nap in between classes.
5. Gas Is So Expensive 
Commuter students drive to and from campus multiple times a day. That full tank of gas that you got on the weekend is bound to be gone by at least Thursday, depending on your car and what not. Filling up your tank a few times a week can get expensive really fast.
6. Never Knowing About Events 
Because you are never on campus when you don't have to be, you never hear about student led events and such going on on campus. If you do hear about it, it's never at a convenient time for you.
7. Having A Hard Time Meeting New People
Meeting people can be kind of hard when you don't live on campus. The majority of the people that you do meet will be in classes with you, and honestly, that is your best bet. Besides getting involved in Greek life, or sports.
8. Not Being Able To Sleep In 
Because the commute to campus requires a bit more time because of the travel, you never get to sleep in. In some cases, you might even have to get up HOURS before your class starts just to get a good parking spot, and make it there on time.
9. You Get Left Out
Commuting isn't all bad though. Besides, you are saving a ton of money, and still get the comfort and amenities of your home. (I'm talking about that good wifi and home-cooked meals.)
