This response, accompanied with a look of pity, is what many commuters on campus get from residential students after they explain that they live at home. To some, the thought of staying at home with their parents – as opposed to in a dorm with their friends – is grossly unappealing.
However, for a large portion of commuter students, off-campus living is actually a practical option that comes with multiple benefits.
(Photo credit to Krista Stucchio)
“Commuting isn’t bad,” said Sakun Bansal, a senior accounting and economics double major, who began commuting his junior year when he transferred from community college. “It makes my life more flexible and I’m not stuck at UMD campus all day.”
He also said that for him, commuting just made the most sense financially speaking. “I pay my own tuition, so I can’t afford to live on campus,” Bansal said. “Since I live in Maryland, commuting daily is a cheaper option.”
Senior sociology major Nehemie Sejour also stated the high cost of tuition as a major factor in her decision to begin commuting her junior year.
“I had decided that I had experienced enough of campus life and wanted to start saving my parents’ money,” Sejour said. “Living on-campus would have cost my parents an additional $2,500 per semester!”
In addition to financial concerns, junior behavior and community health major Patricia Sanabria cited another reason for deciding to ditch dorm living after her freshman year.
“I found that the dorms and bathrooms in College Park were very unsanitary and uncomfortable to use,” Sanabria said. “I am extremely grateful to be living in my own home now.”
While commuting is ideal for a number of University of Maryland students, off-campus living does come with some obstacles. Parking on campus can sometimes be tricky and getting to class on time, in spite of the traffic, isn’t always possible.
“Traffic jams are the most frustrating thing ever,” Bansal said. “The best thing to do is to not schedule your classes during the rush hour.”
Other commuters, like Sanabria, feel that one of the greatest challenges is attending activities and study sessions at night, especially on days when they are done with classes early. Sanabria said that even though she has a car, she feels obligated to stay on campus in the library in order to reap the benefits of the university’s services.
Despite these difficulties, there are still other factors that make commuting a favorable choice for many students.
“I love having home cooked meals,” Sanbria said. “After the second month of living on campus, I was already tired of the food. Plus, it’s great having my own room, bathroom and space.”