Commuting is no one’s favourite part of the day. It can be long and boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Your commute can be a great time to learn, have fun, and center yourself for the day ahead. Here are some ways to maximize your time in transit.
1. Get Your Work Done Before
Nothing is worse than scribbling down incoherent notes on the bus before class, so to save yourself many headaches, make sure you don’t use your transit time for work. If you’re working up to the last minute, you can try to aim to be at school earlier to finish the work, rather than needing to scramble during your commute. You’re going to thank yourself for the extra time to relax once the work is done.
2. Podcasts
Whether you commute in your car or on public transit, podcasts are a great way to entertain yourself. They’re perfect for catching up on the news, like with The New York Time’s “The Daily”. Or, discover topics you’ve never heard of with “Stuff You Should Know” or “99% Invisible”. There’s a podcast for any of your commuting moods, and it’s easy to find something perfect for you online or on Spotify.
3. Plan Out Your Day
Take your morning commute to plan out what you want to get done throughout the day. This can include bigger goals like to “put yourself out there” or “be more confident in class”, or it can be as simple as a grocery list. Your commute is blank time that is yours and yours alone, so use it to be as productive later on as possible.
4. Find Some New Music
When you’re sitting in a car or bus for so long, a great thing to do to keep your mind active is to listen to new music. Before your commute, find an album that interests you, or the one your friend recommended months ago, and download it for the ride. This is the best way to discover new music, since you really have time to give it a try with your mind fully present.
5. Bring A Good Book
It seems like everyone nowadays is complaining that they have no time to read, but that isn’t really true is it? Take all that time you spend idle on the bus to dig into a good book. If you drive, you could even try audiobooks! It’s a great way to escape the mundane act of commuting. Just make sure to remember your stop!