Living on campus sucks. You have to deal with eating dining hall food 24/7, weird roommates (unless you're lucky), annoying bikers and last but not least, trying to avoid the campus tours filled with annoyingly excited high school seniors throughout the year. When you live on campus, you constantly tell yourself, Man this sucks, I can't wait to move into my own place that isn't a dorm room, but trust me, the struggle of living off campus is real as well, especially when you happen to live more than five minutes away from campus.
The first issue you'll encounter is having to worry about paying for on campus parking, which is RIDICULOUSLY expensive, every time you go to class. Secondly, the amount of time it's going to take you to get to campus from your place is such a hassle and, most of the time, causes you to be in a rush when leaving your house. This leads me to my final point, the most upsetting thing that can happen, and will happen, to you while being a commuter — when you forget something at home that you need for the day, but you've already paid for parking and don't have time to go back home before your next class starts.
A commuter kit is necessary if you want to succeed this year and not waste gas, time or money every week because you forgot something at home.
1. Extra Clothes
Accidents happen every day. You don't want to be that girl that spills something on her shorts and has to walk around all day embarrassed.
2. Umbrella
You never know when it might start pouring, so keep an umbrella close by.
3. Snacks
This can include Clif bars or some trail mix. Something that won't attract bugs or go bad in your car after sitting there for a while.
4. School Materials
When you run out of the door, you tend to forget the important things needed for class. Keep pencils, pens, a notebook, calculator, et cetera in your kit just in case.
5. Hygiene Products
This can include deodorant, perfume, a hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste, extra makeup, and so on.
6. An Extra Phone Charger
Our phones die constantly, so be prepared and have an extra charger just in case you really need your phone for that day.
7. Paper Towels
If you're like I am, you're constantly spilling things. Be ready for the next mess you make and have paper towels ready at your side.
8. Medicines
Feeling sick unexpectedly sucks and can ruin your whole day. Make sure to have Advil, Pepto Bismo and Emergen-C handy.
9. Headphones, of course
I tend to always leave my headphones at home even though I'll need them to block out people I don't like. Make sure you have an extra pair ready in your kit for those long days.
Living off campus just got a whole lot easier! You're welcome:)
