I don't know about your school, but my school has a huge commuter population. Sure, there are plenty of upsides to coming home every night, but there are also a lot of struggles that come with being a commuter that people living on, or even near, campus simply don't understand. So, here is the truth about being a commuter, as told by one.
Food is seldom a concern for us as we can usually get away with bringing something from home, paid for by our lovely parents (thanks mom and dad). In doing so, we can avoid all the pains of the cafeteria, and mystery meat Monday is not our problem! But, we also miss out on a lot of memories. We don't always join our friends in the cafeteria, but that's a hit we're willing to take because we can always choose to have lunch at school. But at least we get the option to bring our own, too! A brown bag is totally cool in college!
Each night, we get to return to our glorious beds. Our lovely beds that have been with us, without a doubt, for quite some time. We don't have to think about the hundreds of people who slept on that mattress before us, and we can sleep in peace, without a roommate.
Simiarly, we reap all the benefits of living at home. Laundry? Free. Food? In the fridge. Cable? Got it. Of course, we also pitch in our fair share, because we're not monsters, but living at home just puts your mind at such ease, and it feels so good.
In being a commuter, sure we spend a couple bucks on gas, but we save a ton too!
Being a commuter gives us distance from the school. This can be great, because we don't have to put up with the midnight fire alarms, the plumbing issues and the general distance from the place that causes us stress is awesome. But the distance can also be troublesome. On those brutally cold mornings, getting to school can be a herculean adventure. We also can't just leave to go home in between classes. And when there's any event at night on campus, we have to determine if it's worth the distance.
The commute can be exhausting, and it seriously cuts into our day. When you're heading to school after an all-nighter, it's a wacked out job. When you're heading home after a grueling day, it can get pretty crazy.
Being a commuter can cut into your social life. Maybe everyone goes out Saturday night, but for you, the process of getting to campus is going out enough and it's rarely even worth it. Maybe while you're home, all your friends go out to lunch and you can't join because you're miles away.
There is a limit to how much you can do, because your time on campus is limited to the permissible parking hours. Parking itself is a commuter hassle; the permit and finding a spot.
On the plus side, you don't share a bathroom with the entire floor and can pretty much determine exactly whose hair is in the shower. You also don't have to wear flip flops in the shower. And being a commuter means you get to spend time with family year round.
Commuter life can be tough, but I wouldn't give it up for anything.
