College life is a difficult enough adjustment without adding in the commuter life on top of it. Instead of worrying about roommates and when you can sneak a nap in between classes, you have to plan out your entire day, every day, to maximize on your time. Here are a few tips and tricks that I've picked up during my four solid years of commuting to campus.
1. Avoid 8 a.m. classes like the plague.
While it may seem like a good idea to get your classes out of the way early, you do not want to have to deal with 8 a.m. traffic. Especially around the triangle area, 8 a.m. is the worst time of the day to be out on the roads (except rush hour), and you don't want to have to deal with the traffic and the stress of waking up at least an hour before classes (or more) to ensure you get there on time. The only exception to this is when the 8 a.m. class is required for your major, and that is the only time it is offered.
2. Take a test drive.
One week before classes start plan out your route and go for a test drive at the same time you'll be leaving for classes. That way you know roughly how long it will take to get to campus, and you know how bad the roads are on a typical day.
3. Check the weather before you leave.
This one seems like common sense, but living in North Carolina means that the weather can change at the drop of a hat. Since you don't have the luxury of returning to your room to grab a jacket you need to make sure that you come to campus prepared for rain at the very least.
4. Buy a programmable coffee machine or an automated tea maker.
This way you can program your coffee or tea maker to come on at a certain time every morning, and you don't have to worry about getting your caffeine fix and getting ready at the same time.
5. Snacks are your best friend.
Most professors will let you eat in class, unless the room is a lab room. Make sure to bring plenty of snacks so that you don't end up hungry throughout the day.
6. Have a winter weather car kit on hand.
Now that winter is slowly and surely approaching, make sure to have a winter weather car kit in your car at all times. Keep a phone charger, blankets, extra winter wear, a flashlight, sand (or kitty litter!), jumper cables, a first aid kit and extra food and water in your car. That way, just incase you do break down on the side of the road, you'll be prepared.
7. Sign up for classes that are consecutive.
While this seems like something you wouldn't want to do, it actually makes your life a million times easier. If you have large gaps between your classes you will either have to stay on campus all day, or you will have to drive back and forth between your home and campus. If your classes are as much in a row as possible that means you can go to class and get every class out of the way before going home, thus you aren't wasting your time while on campus.
8. Become friends with people that live on campus.
This is especially useful during corn season, when there's a lot of events planned for late in the evening. If you have a friend that lives on campus, or close to campus, you can easily crash with them if any event runs late into the evening.
9. Keep your parking sticker updated.
I tend to renew my parking pass at least a month before school starts each August, that way I don't start off the school year with a parking ticket. The earlier you get it done, the sooner you have one less thing to worry about.
10. Find a good place on campus to study.
If registration didn't work out according to plan find a place on campus where you can camp out between classes and get some work done. My favorite places on campus are on the second floor of the Cate Center, in SMB at the tables in the hallways and in the Library. Find what works for you and stick with it.
11. Finally, just take a deep breath.
Commuting isn't nearly as stressful as you think it will be, and everything will work out in the end.
