St. John’s is definitely known as a commuter school, and that’s 71% of the student population. But even with that reputation, a lot of students still struggle to find balance when they’re not granted the “traditional” college experience. For me, finding that balance came naturally, but not without a fair share of sacrifice.
Coming from a small Catholic high school on Long Island, I already knew a good number of people attending St. John’s, so I wasn’t as worried about making friends as some others might have been. My biggest concerns were different: how will my college experience be affected? Will I like it? Will I even be able to get involved on campus? And honestly, the answer to all of those questions turned out to be yes.
In your first semester as a freshman, everyone is chatty and open. It’s almost impossible not to strike up conversations with people around you. My biggest advice? Just get involved.
I joined what felt like almost a million GroupMe chats and went to more general body meetings than I can count. Some clubs stuck, and others didn’t. And that’s okay. I wouldn’t have figured out what I actually enjoyed if I hadn’t at least tried. At one point, I even thought about writing for Her Campus, and after giving it a shot, it became one of my favorite things to do.
Being a commuter can feel like a disadvantage, but it really comes down to perspective. How willing are you to branch out? To apply for opportunities even if rejection is a possibility? To plan out your days so you can get the most out of your time on campus?
Personally, I love St. John’s because there’s always something happening, even for commuters. Following @sjuactivities on Instagram is a lifesaver; they’re always posting about events happening during the week, which is a great way to meet new people and grab some free food (because let’s be real, broke college student life is a struggle).
One thing that really helped me get involved is how I schedule my classes. A lot of club meetings take place on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:50 to 3:15 pm. (during common hours), so having classes right before and after gives me the push to actually stay on campus and participate.
Yes, being a commuter can be frustrating sometimes– especially when you’re waking up earlier than most of your classmates. But it’s far from a deal breaker. Your college experience is what you make of it. Whether you’re on campus full-time or commuting from home, you’re still capable of building friendships, growing as a person and making memories that last. You just have to be willing to show up, put yourself out there and say yes.