Commuting and having trouble making friends

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>I'm a freshman at Monmouth University and also a commuter. I decided to go to Monmouth for only one reason: my dad works at Monmouth and I can go for free. I decided that since I'm already saving money why not go ahead and save more by not dorming (which is around $13,000 at Monmouth). If it weren't for my dad, I would never have gone to Monmouth, as I never saw it as the college for me.</p>

<p>Now, I'm having trouble making friends because everyone is generally with each other 24/7 and I'm only on campus around 6-8 hours a day. I talk to people in my classes, but it's really hard to actually become friends while a professor is lecturing. I only have one good friend who is also a commuter and is in the same boat as me. I joined clubs, but they only meet twice a week and sometimes meet at 8 pm, which is really hard for me to go to. I have to stay at Monmouth for at least 2 years, but if things don't get better I'm definitely transferring. Any advice on how to make this better?</p>

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<p>Any chance you can dorm next year? or even next semester?</p>

<p>It IS more difficult to connect when you commute. A million years ago, I also chose Monmouth for financial reasons (scholarship) and could have commuted.
Parents agreed to fund my expenses living on campus which I am still grateful for. Easier to connect with friends, take on campus jobs, run back to the lab for some catch up work, catch a game, etc.</p>

<p>Smart of you to want to save money by commuting but not if you end up completely hating your 2 or 4 years. Talk with your folks about it. You may be surprised at their take on it.</p>

<p>BTW- loved my time at Monmouth and from everything I’ve learned lately it’s better now than when I attended in many ways.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>I don’t know if you’re the one driving, but you could always stay on campus longer than you have to.</p>