For many students, going to college is exactly what they show you in the movies – moving away from home, having a roommate, and living in the dorms at your school. For some of us, however, that’s not the case. I’ve been a commuter for over a year now and I am well aware of all of the benefits and downfalls that come with that title.
Here are ten signs that you commute to college!
1. Traffic is the bane of your existence.
Whether you drive, take public transportation, or have some other method, you know first hand how awful traffic can be... Especially during rush hour! If you’re like me, you may have a special route so that you avoid as much traffic as humanly possible.
2. Parking gives you a headache.
If you drive to a school where the majority of students commute, you know how real the struggle to find parking is. Unless you get to school as the sun is rising, you will often have to park far away from any of your classes.
3. You’ve been late to class at least a few times.
And you never quite understand how residents, who are walking distance from their classes, show up even later.
4. A majority of your money goes to paying for your transportation.
Unless you’re fortunate enough to get free rides or live close enough to the point you can walk to campus, you have to pay for transportation to college. Whether it’s gas money, train tickets, or bus fares-- it can get expensive!
5. You have learned how to make the most out of your breaks.
For my freshman year, I had three-hour gaps between classes at least twice a week. Since it wasn’t worth it to go back and forth to my house, I would spend these breaks at school. I would use this time to study, do homework, hang out with friends, attend meetings, participate in various clubs and extracurricular activities, and sleep. Which brings me to my next point…
6. You’ve napped in interesting places.
I’ve napped in the library, in friends’ dorms, in the cafeteria, in my car… When you’re a sleep-deprived college student-- any place becomes an appropriate place to nap.
7. The food at your school makes you cherish your home cooked meals.
When I eat at my school, I have two options: eat cheap, greasy, unhealthy food or spend big bucks on a salad. Either way, I feel especially fortunate to go home to my mother’s home cooked meals. I’m pretty sure food is even more delicious when you don’t have to pay for it.
8. You loathe the phrase, “Unless you're dorming, you’re not getting the full college experience."
This phrase has always bothered me. It implies that there is only one way to get the full college experience. That simply isn’t true. Your college experience is what you make of it. I know plenty of commuters who are active in their college communities, despite living at home. I love my college experience due to commuting. I get to have the best of both worlds-- the opportunity to get involved on my campus as well as enjoying the perks of living with my loving family and dog.
9. Sometimes you wonder how life would be if you lived on campus…
After all, it’s only natural to wonder what life would be like as a resident. Being a resident undoubtedly has its advantages, such as freedom from familial proximity...
10. But then you come home to your home cooked meals, hot shower, and comfortable bed.
There’s nothing quite like the peace, quiet, and comfort that you experience when you come back home after a long day on campus.
