Being a commuter often casts us as "outsiders". We aren't always seen as part of the actual population of students that attend the private university of our choice. However, that is definitely not the case. We commuters can be just as big of a presence on campus as residents. However, this article is about documenting the struggles and the rewards of being a commuter. As with any situation, there are highs & lows, up & downs, etc. It's a roller coaster ride, if you will. For those of you who live on campus, this article may not apply to you directly. However, it may be beneficial for you to read it anyway so that you can understand the lives of many of your commuter friends. For my fellow commuters, you're welcome for outlining the best, the worst, and the in-between of this status on campus.
1. High: You are able to get a lot of your work done ahead of time, because you don't really have anything else to do.
Without a meal plan or a dorm room or a familiarity with the entire campus population, your list of things to do in between classes are pretty limited. That leaves you with only 2 options: sit alone in the cafeteria with your lunch from home or get ahead on some work in the library. I know I can speak for myself when I say that I am always apt to choosing the latter option. This is a great thing though, because you get so ahead on work while you're at school that you don't have much to do when you're actually home. Therefore, you can watch Netflix in the comfort of your bed for as long as you want without feeling incredibly guilty, because you're done with your work!
2. Low: You have a relatively small group of friends on campus.
Being a commuter limits you to a few of the same people to interact with on campus: usually the other commuters. This is especially true once you declare a major or you are in a specialized program. In these cases, you are in the same classes all day and you are constantly running into each other: walking to & from the parking lot. You'll also probably see a bunch of commuters in the library in between classes, too (refer to point #1)! You'll also relate to the other commuters because of your roots & your connection with the struggles of being a commuter. HOWEVER, you can combat this by just reaching out to other people & getting involved on campus. Hope is not lost for us commuters!
3. High: You get all of the luxuries of living with your parents!
Whether that be a home-cooked meal, laundry being done for you, access to fresh food/snacks/ice cream at your leisure or just having your own childhood bed to sleep in every night, you have it all! You never have to deal with vomit-inducing dining hall food, febreze-ing your clothes that are horribly overdue for a wash, having to walk all the way to the dining hall for a meal, or any of those nuisances that residents have to deal with on the daily. What you get is home-made chicken cutlets, Sunday dinners, freshly pressed towels, and a fully stocked fridge. You never even get the chance to be homesick!
4. Low: Unless you are extraordinary at creating a schedule, you will likely spend most of your time on campus anyway.
If you have classes spread throughout the day, it's up to you if you want to go home and come back, or if it's just more conducive to stay on campus and wait the day out for your next classes. It's a difficult decision and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. You could get a ton of work done if you stay on campus, but you also could take a nice nap if you go back home. Or you could just take a nap in the library (not recommended, but I've seen it done before). Your choice!
5. High: You can work off-campus!
Working off campus is a huge perk of living at home. You can still keep that job you had all throughout high school and save a ton of money while still going to this absurdly expensive school. This keeps you from having to do dreaded work study. You can just work for your own cold hard cash that you may waste in however you wish. (Aside: my advice is to save it, it'll be worth it!)
6. Low: If there is ever anything going on at school that is not mandatory, you have to make the dreaded decision of it you want to make the drive/commute all the way back to school.
This is literally the most difficult decision ever. Just imagine it: you're comfortable in bed or on your couch and then you get a reminder that there's an event on campus that you're actually interested in attending. HOWEVER, you are so comfortable and you were so looking forward to your date with Netflix. What do you do?! I can tell you. You sit there for 25 minutes, weigh your options, realize that you'd be late to the event now because you spent so much time trying to decide if you should go or not, and ultimately, choose to stay in the comfort of your own home. It's vicious cycle, really.
7. High: People come to you when they want to know anything about the area that the school is in.
And rightfully so! Odds are, you have lived here for your whole entire life: you obviously know the good, the bad, and the ugly of this area. You can tell them the best and worst restaurants, the best and worst nail salons, where to find the best sales, where to find the best bagels/pizza/ice cream, etc. You can also probably tell them how to get anywhere as well, which is always helpful. Your friends have a personal siri (in regards to the area) right in front of them... and you're a real person! You are their guru and have no problem sharing your vast wisdom with those that just haven't had the exposure and experience that you have had in this area.
8. Low: No matter your academic status, you always look like a freshman because you have to bring everything you own to school.
Since you may occasionally have to stay the whole day at school, whether it be for a social/academic event or just to get some work done, you need to bring your own materials. This includes (but is not limited to): pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, folders, textbooks, laptop, food, and sweatshirts (in case it gets cold). All of this takes up a TON of space, and that will show when you are struggling to walk across campus with a backpack, a tote bag, a lunch cooler, and an extra jacket. Unless you have an exact replica of Mary Poppins bag with all of the features included, then you are thrown right in there with the rest of the commuters: throwing your back out because of carrying an extra 50lbs all the time.
9. High: If you do make friends that live on campus, you will always have a place to stay on campus if need be.
Being a commuter, I cannot even count the amount of times I've been offered a bed to sleep in on campus by my residential friends. It's one of the greatest feelings being offered a place to stay, because you really feel like you are finally integrating into the residential life, even while being a commuter. Also, it is an excuse to relive your middle school weekends and to have a sleepover with all of your best friends (even if it's in a tiny dorm room).
10. Low: You always have to respond to people saying, "Why don't you dorm here? Are you thinking about living on campus at all? You totally should! It's a great experience!"
Ok, I've said it once, I've said it a million times. I know that it's "so worth" living on campus and you get "such a great experience" and "independence" and that it is the "time of your life". BUT! There is a reason I chose this college in my hometown, where I have the ability to drive to and from school. There is a reason I chose to commute. Also, I get the same great experience and independence as well! In addition, I am learning how to manage my time with a commute factored in, which is what it will be like when we all get thrown into the real world in 4 years. There will be no rolling out of bed 10 minutes before class then! So in that regard, I've got you residents beat. I get bombarded with these questions and inquires all the time and I know that people asking are just trying to make conversation, but sometimes it is annoying to have to explain over and over again.
11. Low: One word: traffic.
Honestly, it seems that every morning, there is someone out there that does not want you to make it to class on time. There is always a hold-up for some reason or another, and after a while, it gets to be rather annoying. So, you sit there and you figure out the perfect formula for getting to school fast & without any issues. You work out the perfect time where traffic is reduced, you time the lights so that you don't hit them, and you map the route that brings you to school the fastest. Despite all of the time and effort you put into leaving earlier or going the back way to school, you will still get stuck behind a garbage truck or random cars double parked in the middle of the lane.
12. High: You have access to true alone time.
It may sound strange, but I like my alone time. I like to have nights where I can just stay in, without having to explain myself and just be by myself. If you live on campus, you may not always have that luxury. Whether you have a roommate, suite-mate, or other residents on your floor, there is always someone wondering where you are or what you are doing or why you are not coming out. Being a commuter, you can just as easily say you have to run home & then just stay home for the rest of the night, without anyone bothering you about where you are. It's so great to have that time to yourself, to decompress and relax.
