As said in the title, I will be commuting from an apartment to UC Merced and need as much advice as I can get.
First, Congrats!
Get involved, in clubs and the campus community, spend lots of time on campus and make the most of the opportunity.
Hi @Asiahh! I’m happy that you’re planning on going to UC Merced and excited for your experience here! One of my close friends was a commuter her freshman year also. Be aware that it can be difficult to fully immerse yourself on campus and make friends at first since you’re not surrounded by students 24/7. My best advice is to be proactive by signing up for as many clubs, and other activities that interest you. Joining greek life is a great way to meet new people and participate in philanthropies too; you’ll be able to see a majority of the organizations during the club fair at orientation.
If you’d like to meet more freshmen, I recommend joining the official facebook group page for the class of 2020. The page is expected to be very active leading up to August.
I also want to warn you about the parking on campus! The parking lots are severely impacted during the school year and cannot accommodate all students that have cars. It will be especially packed at the beginning of the semester, I even plan on taking the bus as during that time haha. Plan to come to campus early to find a spot.
I’m sure you know this but another thing I want to stress being comfortable with your time management skills. You’ll be commuting to campus while also trying to adjust to the atmosphere and academic rigor at this school so it is essential you know how to balance schoolwork with your other activities so you don’t get overwhelmed. This is easier said than done cause I also have trouble with it sometimes lol, but if you’re able to be involved and manage your other responsibilities, you will definitely have a worthwhile experience! Please let me know if you have more questions or anything else (: