Live super close to campus? Want to save money? Am I going to be excluded from campus events? Is it going to be like high school round two? All of these thoughts may be flooding through your head when realizing you will be a commuter student.
Many people would question whether or not it is a good choice, bad choice, or are indifferent on the idea. Being both a commuter and a transfer student rolled up into one, I can certainly say it has its positives and negatives. Let's see what it all entails.
Pro: You get to sleep in a comfy bed without roommates waking you up by strolling in from a party at 3 a.m.
Chances are, you'll be living at home with your parents and siblings. Most likely the only thing that will wake you up is the bark of your dog or the garbage truck. Another major plus, you get to have a bed that doesn't feel like you're sleeping on rocks.
Con: You don't live on campus. Therefore, you have to leave your house super early to make it to class on time...and forget about getting a parking spot.
The alarm clock blares in your ear at 6 a.m. because you have an 8 a.m. Therefore, you need to get up, take a shower, get your coffee, and then make the trek to campus, all while praying the morning commute is not backed up for a mile or that you will get the last parking spot in the lot. After all, you don't have the luxury of rolling out of bed and walking across campus to make it on time.
Pro: You can steer clear of the dining hall food and have family favorites at your convenience.
Everyone knows the running joke that dining hall food is bleh...we all know that living at home saves you money, you have a personal chef and don't have to deal with the dining hall lines or dried out food. You can eat your mom's spaghetti and meatballs whenever you want, not just over winter break when you're out of the dining hall disaster.
Con: Your friends aren't living upstairs from you.
If you don't live on campus, chances are your friend group is split between students who live on campus, and students who commute just like you. However, it's not the best feeling knowing that your friends can chill at 2 a.m., in turn making you feel like an outcast. After all, your parents will probably want to know your whereabouts even though you're an adult just because you live under their roof.
Pro: You save a lot of money while still having a college experience.
Let's face it. We all know college is an expensive investment. Whether you are paying for your education solo, get scholarship money or have a stack of students loans, commuting to and from campus saves your wallet a lot of change. Just because you live at home doesn't mean you are excluded from campus events, can't join Greek life, have no friends, can't be involved in clubs or go to parties. All that commuting means is that you sleep in a bed at your house, not in a dorm room or on the common room couch.
Commuting to campus was something I've always done, even at my previous institution. Dorming is not for everyone, but neither is commuting. I guess being an only child, my whole life makes me enjoy personal space more and I like the fact that I don't have to wear shower shoes. "Commuter problems" are existent, but do not define your college experience. Wouldn't it be cool if for one week I could switch places with someone who lives on campus? What do you think that would end up like?
