Though I have a few options, the most cost efficient one is a state school that is nearby and I was wondering if anyone could tell me tips on how to have a college life while commuting.
The school is about an hour away so I can’t really stay late and I’ll probably have to leave home early. I’m incredibly afraid that things will turn out like high school. My parents don’t want me to get a license at the moment and plan to drop me off and pick me up.
I see my friends packing and have plans exploring the campus and meeting their roommates and I’m just kinda sad. I already feel like the dreams I had as a kid have been shattered. I just never thought I would be going to a state school after pretty much revolving my life around college. Now the idea that I’ll be extending my stressful high school life seems pretty torturous. I don’t have a huge amount of say because my parents will be paying for it.
I’m not into parties but I was wondering if any fellow commuters can give me tips on how to balance a rather long commute ride, studies and still have fun?
(Half of this post turned out to me just ranting. Sorry.)
I’m a commuter at a state school; it’s not that bad. Make sure to schedule all of your classes in blocks so that you finish your classes in one single sweep and have the rest of the day open to do anything - go out with friends, study, work, relax, etc. I recommend early morning classes because it frees up your entire afternoon and evening for off campus outings, uninterrupted time in the library, meetings with professors, an on/off campus job, and so on.
Start checking the school’s student life web page, FB groups and pages. Some commuter schools have ride share bonuses like closer parking. Find out if they have campus fun days like noon concerts or free food, good way to meet others and have something to do if you have to wait between classes. Pick good music or audio books for the long drive. If you can block your schedule do so, but if the commuter school is impacted it would be hard to do so and still get the classes you need to graduate in 4.