Most incoming students don’t consider commuting to college rather than living on campus. It’s seen as getting less of the “college experience” or just a big hassle. As someone who has commuted to Temple for the past year, I can assure you that unless you live out of Septa’s Regional Rail System, this is not the case. Commuter life has its perks.
1. You Can Have a Social Life
Usually the biggest concern for people thinking about commuting is that your social life will falter in comparison. News Flash: this doesn’t have to be true. There are so many clubs and activities you can join as a commuter that end around 7 pm and you can be on the next train home. Chat with people in your classes because even though they might live on campus, they are probably worried about making friends as well. If you have a friend that lives on campus, plan to sleep over from time to time. This way you can both go to parties together without worrying about catching the last train.
2. You Can Get the Septa University Pass
Temple has its own train station that practically every single train on its way to Center City stops at. Being only three blocks away from campus, there is campus security at the entrance of the station toward campus. Temple has also teamed up with Septa to offer students a semester long University Pass. The University Pass allows students to board the train at any time throughout the semester. Temple sends the email out for registration for the pass usually around end of July for the fall semester and January for the spring semester. For an entire semester, that is around $700 if you live in the farthest zone (Zone 4) and is much cheaper if you live in a closer zone. If Temple runs out of University Passes, a monthly pass for septa is only around $200 a month for the farthest zone and is cheaper for closer zones, equating to around $800 or less for a 4 month semester which is still much cheaper that an apartment/dorm with $700/month rent.
3. Keep a regular job
One of the main reasons I decided to commute is that I needed a steady income. Nowadays, there are many students who still need to pay for college themselves or would rather take out less student loans in the long run. By commuting, there is the option to keep a regular job where you can make that money, honey.
4. You Won’t Need A Meal Plan
If you’re like every college student ever, the price of a meal plan is often ridiculous and you most likely will never even use up all of the meal swipes you paid for. By living at home, you can both get groceries from your local supermarket and pack your food instead. You have even more luck because then you can just eat the food that your parents make for free.
5. Me-Time is the Best Time
This excuse will do you wonders. Sometimes when the semester gets very stressful, I don’t have the energy to hang out with friends. Instead of just outright declining, I’ll say, “Sorry I can’t, I need to help my parents with something” or “Sorry I have to work tonight” and they never question it. I love to just go home to my own bedroom, light some candles, and relax. I don’t need to worry about roommates, people coming over unannounced or consoling anyone with drama in the wee hours of the morning. Just grab a nice cup of tea, put on a face mask, watch Netflix and experience the wonders of self-care.
Of course, commuting is not for everyone, but if it is feasible for you, and you would rather not take out more loans in order to live on campus, I highly suggest it. Temple has a big commuter community, filled with students who are also trying to #savethatmoney because the capitalist grind never stops