Many of us choose to stay home for college and commute. Many of us are shamed, directly and indirectly, for it.
Maybe it’s a, “Oh, you don’t know what it’s like! You don’t dorm!” Or maybe it’s a, “You can’t join a sorority (or a fraternity)! You commute to school!” Just because these people, maybe even friends of ours, say it with a smile, doesn’t make it any less annoying.
Granted, I’m sure there are many situations that commuters can’t relate to, like eating from the dining hall three (or more) times a day and showering with flip-flops on. But guess what? Commuters are just as much a part of the school as residents are.
If I want to join a sorority, don’t discourage me because I don’t live on campus. I want to join a sorority so I can be on campus more. If you’re going out on Friday night, invite me. Don’t assume I won’t go because I commute.
To friends that are away at other schools, don’t come home for break and act as if I don’t even go to college. I may be living at home with my parents, eating home cooked meals every night and showering without flip-flops on, but I still go to college.
You think finals week is easier for me because I’m a commuter? False. I spend just as much time in the library studying as you do. I pull all-nighters. I chuck down coffee like it’s about to become obsolete. I study until my eyes start to twitch then I leave the library and drive home. I get up the next morning and do it all over again.
You think that I don’t have as many “college friends” as you do because I commute? Wrong, again. I don’t just go to class and then go home. Most days, I get to school early to get lunch with my friends. Most days, I go to the library after class. Some days, I drive home at 11p.m. because the club I’m in had a meeting at 9.pm. I’m tired, I want my bed and I probably considered skipping that club meeting, but I go because I want to be a part of my school.
Another tip, please don’t say, “I don’t get how you can live at home.” I’m sorry, where have you been living for the past 18+ years?
The bottom line is, we’re all here to get an education and (hopefully) get awesome jobs after we graduate. We’re all here to make life-long friends and live it up on the weekends. We’re all here to make the most out of our college years, because we know it’s our last stop on the train of childhood. We commuters don’t need to feel like we’re out of the loop because we’re not on campus 24/7. Odds are, we’re in the loop because we make the effort to be. And if we’re not, get us in the loop!
And to my fellow commuters, don’t be lazy. Get on campus, join a club (or three), rush a sorority or a fraternity because I promise you, it’s worth it (and great for resumés too).
