Commuting to school certainly has its advantages and disadvantages-take it from a commuter herself! This year is my second year commuting to school and I’ve learned to make the best of it. Now, I’m here to help you!
So, for my struggling commuters about to lose their mind driving around those crowded parking lots, or ones who fear missing out on the “college experience,” these tips are for you!
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Get involved!
I cannot stress this enough! Whether it be joining a club, sports team, sorority/fraternity or becoming involved in student government, the options are endless and the opportunities are so rewarding! Being a commuter, the most challenging obstacle I face is meeting people. Driving to class and then driving home does not benefit you when it comes to getting involved on campus. But, if you find a way to get involved, you will have a reason to stay on campus and surround yourself with great people.
2. Become best friends with your advisor.
As a commuter, there’s nothing I fear more than that long gap between classes. What is there to do besides sit in the library, right? To avoid this mess, become “friends” with your advisor and be smart about scheduling your classes. When meeting with your advisor, explain your situation to him/her and hopefully he/she will do what they can to arrange your classes in a convenient manner.
3. Rest up…And learn to love coffee.
Driving around all day becomes exhausting! To stay rested throughout the day, make sure to get a good sleep and/or take a nap during the day. This will give you more energy so you won’t need to take a nap in your car. Although, with the loads of homework that you have, when do you have time to nap, right? College can be rough, but it’s all about time management. If you’re struggling with your sleep, fit a designated time in your schedule to take a nap-even if it’s only for thirty minutes (this will go a long way!). If you’re still feeling like a zombie, make some coffee! I drink atleast 2-3 cups a day and I am so thankful for the energy that it brings me (and who doesn’t like Starbucks, right?).
4. Leave your home a few minutes early.
Ugh! Parking lots — enough said! To avoid this mess, try and leave your house a few minutes earlier so if you’re stuck driving in endless circles looking for an open stop, you have a little spare time. Another tip I have for you which I’ve been doing very often, is to ask someone for their spot in exchange for a ride back to their car. Whatever the case, do what you can to avoid these crowded parking lots; there’s nothing worse than being late to class because you couldn’t find a spot!
5. Spice up your room.
Having something to come home to makes your day more enjoyable. After being bored of my room, I decided to make a change! So, I did some online shopping and bought a beautiful tapestry to hang on my wall (I will leave the link below!). Although this was only a little change, it made a huge difference! I now love being in my room and having something to look at while I’m doing my homework or studying. If you’re struggling with money or just trying to save up, there are so many cheaper options! For instance, go in Pinterest and look up some DIYs for your room (look below).
Urban Outfitters tapestries:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/uk/catalog/search.jsp?q=tapestry#/
A few inexpensive ideas from Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/432978951655779775/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246994360791013465/