Now that school is back in session, the carefree summer vibes are gone and there are a lot of things on our minds. Buying new books, getting a head start on classwork, joining clubs, and trying to make time for the gym are just a few items off the endless to-do list of a college student. On top of all of that, we also have to make time to get a decent amount of sleep, just so we can do it all over again the next day. For those of us who commute, we also have to add travel time into all of the things we have to get done.
Commuting does have its perks, such as getting to sleep in your own bed, (and for some, getting your own room) home cooked meals, and being able to go wherever you want, whenever you want, without having to wait for a shuttle that you know will never show up. However, living at school is a unique experience that you only get to do during your college career.
Hopefully, I will be able to experience living on campus before 2018 rolls around, but for now here are some of the struggles us commuters go through on the daily:
1. Waking up earlier
It takes me 30 minutes to drive to school and I give myself at least 15 minutes for parking. If I'm not running late, I will also stop to get coffee on the way, so I usually leave an hour before my class starts. If my class is at 10 a.m., I'll have to wake up at 8:30 a.m. (latest), but if I lived at school, I would probably wake up at 9:30 a.m. (that's a whole hour more of sleep!)
2. Driving
The physical act of driving is just so mundane day after day. The worst is when you have an exam and you feel like you're wasting valuable studying time by driving. Another negative about commuting to school is that you cannot take a nap until you drive all the way back home after all your classes are over.
3. Traffic
Traffic is inevitable. It's just one of those things that you're going to have to deal with if you're stuck and there is no way out. Those who live on campus are lucky because there really is no third party that can make them late to class.
4. Parking
This is the one thing you will hear someone complain about at least once a day. Trust me, it really is as bad as it sounds. One time, it took me over an hour to find a parking spot and I even went around to lots 60 and 61 (there was snow covering half of the spaces). I ended up missing my first class and was almost late to the next one. Luckily, most of the professors are understanding about the parking situation because they go through the same struggles everyday, too.
5. On campus events
There is nothing worse than sitting at home watching Netflix while you scroll through Instagram or look at your SnapChat story and see all the pictures and videos of your friends having fun at something going on at school (30 minutes away). Talk about major FOMO.
Maybe next year I will be able to dorm, (fingers crossed) but for now, I will just have to get used to driving back and forth everyday.
