As the summer comes into full swing and many college students begin their internships and jobs, it's important to keep a few helpful hints in mind for those draining early-morning commutes to work. Being so wrapped up in the physical job itself can often refrain you from planning too much of the commute out. As a senior in college who is now on my second summer internship in New York City, I'm beginning to understand how demanding commutes can be, and thought it would be helpful to offer some advice I've come to learn so far. Having these tips in the back of your mind will hopefully aid in making any commute more enjoyable and will create a more positive workweek altogether.
1. Find an addicting book. Depending on how long your commute is this can be a crucial asset for any decently long ride in. I read three or four books last summer that made my commute much more bearable. If you can get lost in a book every morning, your commute might be something you even look forward to. A few great summer reads I would recommend would be "Girl on a Train," "Brain on Fire" and "Paper Towns."
2. Comfortable shoes are a must. What many people don't realize about the commute is how demanding it can be on your feet. Whether you take the train, bus or subway, you will most likely have to walk or stand for long periods of time and nothing is worse then not having the right shoes for it. Many people wear sneakers or sandals to work and then change when they get in, so don't think you will stand out if you opt to do this!
3. Have a happy playlist. Similar to a good book, this can be a major part in making a 50-minute commute seem like a 15-minute commute. If you already have a set of songs that put you in a good mood or pump you up to get your day going you, won't have to fuddle around trying to search for songs on the actual commute. This can ultimately save you from losing battery, data, and your sanity.
4. Know your stops and train number. Nothing is worse then being stuck in the subway with no service and not being able to see what stop you need to get off, or what train you need to get on. Make a notes section on your phone with the street you need to get off at or the train you need to catch the night before in order to avoid any mishaps while aboard your train!
5. Always have water. Packing a huge bottle of water every day with lots of ice will serve as good hydration and will be a good "pick me up" when you haven't had your morning coffee yet. Transferring from trains or driving in cars can often leave you randomly dehydrated and water is always something you should have on hand. Add a few lemon wedges to give it a little kick!
6. Bring perfume and deodorant. While you would think this would go without saying, many commuters still don't take this into consideration so make sure you do! If you're on a smelly train or bus, you're going to want to make sure you have something on hand to spritz before heading into work so you're the one that doesn't end up smelling like you forgot to shower that morning!
7. Have a positive attitude. Though many forms of public transportation can put a serious damper on anyones morning, it's important to be open-minded before heading in everyday. Being willing to sit next to a stranger, or better yet, offer a stranger your seat are just two ways that you can help make the commute a better experience for you, and everyone around you. If you have a good attitude about it, other people might even reflect those positive vibes and feel better about it as well.
Though everyone has a different job, commute, and story to their morning, we all aim to achieve the same goal; getting to work on time. It's important to remember that your need to get to work is not any more important than someone else's. Starting your day off with a long commute may seem daunting, but if you take in some of these tips and always remember to treat others with respect, everyone's day will start out a little brighter.
