From my perspective, there are some perks of living off-campus depending on who you live with and how far you live. I’ll admit it is a bit chaotic to balance your academics and life outside of campus, but this is why my guide might give some ideas to help you if you are starting college as a commuter without feeling overwhelmed by the chaos.
Organize your schedule
An obvious piece of advice, but believe me, planning everything from your class schedule to life outside and your social life is so helpful. Try to use a calendar, whether on your phone or using a physical copy, as having one can help you organize classes, school, events, work schedules, assignment lists, and small reminders. Using one helped me stay on track with what I needed to do, especially handling household chores and reminding me to do important tasks. But if you want to know the best part, if you have a physical calendar book, you are free to decorate it as you like. Perhaps you can use Pinterest or social media to get ideas on how you would like to decorate it to match your aesthetic or mood.
Calculate your availability
Before you even write down events or your full schedule, you need to think about your availability. A majority of students have to grind through homework, research papers, volunteering, and work. We need to consider how much effort we can put into our daily routine. It’s great to get things done as soon as possible, but the most important thing to think about are moments when we need to rest, practice self-care, or have a good distraction. Of course, we need to manage our break time to not allow ourselves to procrastinate, but don’t forget to allow your body and mind to have a quiet moment to yourself.
Keep track of your finances
This is another obvious piece of advice, but it is still a serious matter to look over. Being a commuter can bring different circumstances, whether you are living with your family or sharing an apartment with a roommate, and you must still watch over your finances, especially for tuition, fees, gas/transportation, bills, and food. In keeping tabs on how much you spend, you can figure out how much you have left over and use that money to either continue saving or spend a bit for yourself. If you are keeping track, it’s not wrong to spend for yourself, but spend wisely.
I know that starting your university years outside of campus can sound like you are missing out, and believe me, sometimes the effort can be too much. My best word of advice is to use your time on campus to explore what you want to do such as extracurricular activities, joining clubs, and even making friends who are either on or off campus. Just focus on your academics, develop your skills and hobbies, and always have time for yourself.