As an incoming freshman, getting away from your parent’s home is an ideal dream when moving away for college. On-campus living means getting away from the constricting rules of their house, coming back to your room at 4 a.m. after a night of partying, a blank slate to decorate, and other positive aspects. However, some students can’t afford the outrageous prices for on-campus housing or surrounding apartments.
According to the statistics on the IUPUI Niche page, less than 5 percent of the undergraduate student body has chosen to live in on-campus housing. There are only three housing choices on campus and the capacity is less that 2000 students. If you are destined to become a commuter, how can you make campus feel like your getaway from home?
1. Talk to your parents about the house rules.
Despite officially being an adult, some parents will continue to keep silly rules such as curfew, no boys in the house, coming and going as you please, etc. If you are wanting a bit more freedom, talk to your parents about lightening up on some of the rules holding you back from going out with friends after class or bringing home the cute guy you met in the library to hang out in a non-school setting.
2. Making friends while commuting.
Making friends while being a commuter student is hard, but the more effort you make the easier it will be. By participating in clubs that interest you, talking to the girl that sits next to you in class, or joining a sorority, making friends will be a breeze. Maybe even contact that girl you met during orientation whom you promised to keep in contact with! The possibilities to make friends are endless on a highly social campus like IUPUI.
3. Find your own special spot.
Of course, making friends on campus will make you more comfortable, but finding your favorite study area for between classes will make coming to school even more special. Whether it’s sitting outside in Taylor Courtyard, camping out in your own corner of the library, or chilling on the couches in Starbucks, finding your favorite place to study while on campus will make the experience much more enjoyable.
4. All your friends live on campus, but it’s OK.
This is one of the hardest parts of being a commuter student. While you may have your own car since you live so far away, sometimes the drive to campus is the most difficult part about staying in touch with the college experience. This is especially hard if all your friends live in student housing or surrounding apartment buildings within a 10-minute walk to school. However, by making sure to hang out with those friends every time you’re on campus, on weekends, and having occasional sleepovers, it’s much easier to feel as if you’re part of the regular college crowd!
5. Be yourself and don’t worry.
Being a commuter student will be hard, but being yourself and making the most out of every moment will make it all worthwhile. It will be even harder when your friends who live on campus go to school events without you when you can’t make it, but remember there will always be another ice cream social or another day to go to one of the free movies in the courtyard. Just don’t forget the reason you are there: To learn.
