Being a commuter at a university (and it doesn’t matter which university) can be quite a struggle throughout the college years.

I am only a sophomore at Azusa Pacific University, but the pressure is constantly building more and more. Now I know that all college students are under a lot of pressure, but I can guarantee that commuters may actually end up going insane by the time they graduate. You may be thinking, "Now this guy is just overreacting. Commuting can't be that bad right?"

1. The Actual Commute

I would consider myself as one of the lucky ones. I only live 15 minutes away from the university. I give props to all the commuters who live out of the 5-mile radius from the university. If you think about it, these brave students are risking their lives everyday, trying to ride the waves of the road, going fast and furious on the monster freeways. Yes, an ode to you brave souls. Most college students who live on campus don't know what it is like in this crazy commuting world.

2. "WHERE IS THE PARKING!?"

I would like to describe parking on a college campus in this scenario: You’re driving in your car. You’re so irritated, frustrated and annoyed that you want to scream at the top of your lungs. Your face is red and you’re breathing frantically. What is making you feel this way? Are you driving in L.A. traffic? No, it’s worse. You’re actually trying to find a parking space on campus.

Yes, this description is a reality at all colleges in general. Every day, I'm forced to leave my house an hour in advance before my first class starts, so that I can spend 45 minutes looking for a place to park. Student parking has become an absolute war zone. Now I already know what the students who live on campus with a registered vehicle are going to say: "Well I have a car, and parking sucks for me too."

Yes, that may be true, but in all reality colleges are not always fond of improving parking on their campus. Imagine for a second how nice it would be if every university built a multi-level parking structure or at least few more parking lots. However, we all know that would actually be a very unrealistic, impractical solution simply because it would take a lot of time and money.

Oh, one can only dream.

3. We Don't Have a Choice

Anyone who knows me would say that I am a proud commuter. People will ask me, "So where on campus do you live?" And I'll respond by raising my fist to the sky, while pounding my chest with my other hand.

"COMMUTER FOR LIFE!!!" is what I will passionately tell them. However, it was never my intention to be a commuter. I didn't choose the commuter life, the commuter life chose me.

The reason being is simple: Financial issues. I know most college students are struggling through financial issues, and trust me: I know the struggle is real. That's why commuters go the extra mile by choosing to commute instead of living on campus...because dorm living is pretty darn expensive.

Speaking of expensive, don't even get me started on gas. That's expensive too...not nearly as expensive as living on campus, but it's expensive.

4. The Off-Campus Job (Does not apply to all commuters.)

One thing that can add to the stresses of college life and of commuting can be an off-campus job. Why? Because you are instantly given a load of more responsibilities, and must find a way to make your work schedule and your school schedule co-inside. This can be done, but beware, you will lose sleep in the process.

Well then, why get a job if you're in school? Because I need the job to help pay for the tuition of the school! A good education isn't cheap, remember?

It's actually a very vicious cycle.

5. The Lack of Community

One of the realizations that has come to me is that most commuters usually feel left out from the university. The reason being is because we are constantly coming and going, yet never knowing what events are going to go down until it's too late. Of course, your school may have a "commuter's club," where they say you all will hang out and will get to know each other. But none of the commuters ever show up to their organized events, because all of the student schedules conflict with each other.

Residents have the opportunity to live, eat, study, and socialize with each other all the time. They are given the bigger opportunity to make friends and socialize with others while becoming one with the college community.

There's not much that anyone can really do about that. Maybe that's just the price the commuter has got to pay.

6. The "YOU BETTER NOT CRASH" Rule

I call it the "You Better Not Crash" Rule because that's what my parents tell me every day. Oh yes, you must learn to become a defensive driver in the jungle of the streets. So everyday, I'm praying that God will protect me, and keep me and my car safe. First off, I don't want anybody to get hurt in a car accident, and secondly, I don't want to hurt my parents car insurance plan, because that would affect the finances, which is a situation that no one wants to be in when paying for college tuition.

Anyway, this isn't supposed to be a rant. I just want to shine a little light on the daily life of a commuter. I feel that it is important for everyone to know about all aspects of college life, from multiple points of view. I sure know that I'm not the only commuter student who feels like this.

So if you're a college commuter, I know how you feel. I'm right there with you. I salute you for risking your life every day to get a good education.

For those who live on campus at a university, I ask that the next time you meet a commuter, talk with them. Ask them how their day is going. Invite them to upcoming events that they might now know about. Ask them how parking was today....actually, don't do that, they won't like that...instead, just welcome them with open arms. That way, nobody feels like they are being left out, and hopefully we can all relate to each other a little more.