<p>I am a freshman taking pre-med, and am currently commuting an hour to and from my university (a total of two hours every day). I am a diligent student, usually getting straight A's but i want to expand my horizons and get involved in school. Since I do not live on campus, it is very difficult to get involved and make friends. I want to live on campus but I cannot for financial reasons. What are some ways I could get involved in school? If not, what are some ways to get involved my community? </p>
<p>Well, one of the biggest ways to get involved is to join some student groups. Even most commuter colleges have a variety of student organizations, so you may want to join 1-3 (depending on the time commitment). At my college there were a LOT of commuter students because we didn’t have enough on-campus housing, but you couldn’t tell whether someone lived on-campus or off in junior and senior year because most people were pretty active. Some of the more active clubs tend to be the homecoming committee (they organize homecoming, and at my college they started in the spring before, basically just a few months after they finished the last one) and the student government association. But anything that piques your interest could be a good way to get involved and meet people.</p>
<p>Another way is to eat in the dining hall. You may be able to get a small meal plan that just covers lunches, and eat in the dining hall and try to sit with a different group or someone eating alone to meet folks. (It’s not weird; freshmen do this all the time.)</p>
<p>Also, spending more time on campus is a good way. A lot of commuter students try to cluster their classes together so they only have to be on campus a couple of hours a couple days a week. Even if you do that, consider spending more time than necessary - like if you only have class from 10-1 on Monday, consider staying on campus until 4 or 5 studying in the library or working an on-campus job or just hanging out with people. Many of the commuter students I knew were on campus even when they didn’t necessarily have class. And most student group meetings start after 5 pm, so if you want to get involved in the social world you’ll have to be around some days after 5 pm.</p>
<p>Finally, make friends with a residential student! Me and my freshman year roommate had a friend who commuted, and she crashed on our floor many a time when she wanted to attend some evening party or hang out with us overnight.</p>
<p>Form a study group with kids in your class
Join the Commuter Club
Join some other type of club
Eat in the student union…ask classmates if they want to join you</p>
<p>Thank you for your responses!</p>
<p>maybe ask a classmate if they want to hang out after class. explain your situation.</p>
<p>S1 was able to get a commuter meal plan when he moved off-campus into an apartment, and many dining halls also take cash or debit cards. I was a commuter too a zillion years ago. I went Greek to make college a little less like high school. It was perfect for me but I realize it’s not for everybody. Also, my commute was only about 20 minutes or so - an hour each way is challenging. Best of luck to you. </p>