The UConn student body can be split into two groups; just about half of students live on campus while half live off.
When most students think of college, their first thought is to get away from home, gain independence, and have their highly anticipated “college experience.” But for those who live close to campus, commuting is a viable option and amidst many other college decisions, it is an important one to take into consideration.
Just like living on campus, commuting has its pros and its cons and each student has to evaluate both and decide whether this option is the best fit for them.
THE CONS:
One piece of advice that every commuter student is told at UConn is to be sure you are pulling into your parking space a least a half-hour before your class starts. This is a good piece of advice, considering the amount of time it takes to walk from some of the faraway parking lots to the main part of campus. It’s normally pretty easy to do this, unless of course:
1. You’re taking an 8 a.m. class.
So that means you have to be here at 7:30, minus a half-hour (or more) for the commute, minus another 45 minutes to get ready, minus that time you need to hit the snooze button a few times… so 6 a.m. wake-up time? A tip for those who live on campus: don’t complain to your commuter friends about getting up for your 8 a.m. classes.
2. Even though you are a very diligent student, there will inevitably be a time when you too will be running late… and it will be that morning when everything goes wrong.
Every stoplight will turn red when you approach, the driver in front of you will be going five miles under the speed limit, and let’s not forget the biggest challenge:
3. Finding parking on campus.
Every parking lot seems too far away from your classes, but it doesn’t matter… because they’re all already full anyway.
4. Paying for gas.
At least there are plenty of on-campus jobs to help you earn some cash.
5. You’re the official chauffeur of your friend group.
Hopefully you like football, because everyone will be looking for a ride to Rentschler Field on the weekends for UConn football games.
THE PROS:
Even though there are plenty of struggles that commuters deal with, there are some serious perks too. UConn’s Off-Campus Student Services does a great job of making sure that commuters are aware of all the possibilities that are open to them.
1. The Commuter Lounge in the Student Union
Jonathan the Husky visits the Commuter Lounge
(Photo Credit: Amanda Cabral)
If you decide to commute, you will have a quiet place to eat, study, and relax. The lounge also has a flat-screen TV, lockers, a bulletin board and tons of information pertaining to commuters, a refrigerator, microwave, and sink. This is only one of many places that commuters can stay on campus. The library and Student Union are two places that have many great spots for eating and studying. And you never know when a special visitor might stop by!
2. Commuter Appreciation Week and other events
Part of the HuskyWOW events at the beginning of the year is a commuter day for students. And once a semester, there is a Commuter Appreciation Week where commuters get free meals, prizes, and game room time. Not to mention there is free Commuter Coffee every Wednesday.
3. You have your car all the time.
You can go where you want, when you want to.
4. No dining hall food!
Coming from home means you have the choice of bringing your own food (and you can keep it in the refrigerator in the Commuter Lounge). If you don’t want dining hall food or don’t like spending money at the other places to eat on campus, then you don’t have to.
5. You can spend as little or as much time at home as you want.
At the end of the day, you get to see your family and your pets, use your own TV, and sleep in your own bed. Not to mention you won’t have to pay room and board and will still have access to everything that on-campus students do.
Whether or not you choose to be a commuter student, UConn values all of its students and has created ways to ensure every student feels welcome. Of course, there are more than just five pros and five cons to commuting, and it is up to each student to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons.