<p>I recently enrolled as a freshman at Rutgers SAS NJ. I will be commuting and wanted to hear the opinions and experiences of some other commuters. How is commuting/parking? Do you feel like it is harder to make friends if you don't live on campus? Any other input would be greatly appreciated too. Thanks a lot! :-)</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat. I heard we get a designated parking spot and have to take the buses to whatever campus/building we gotta go to.</p>
<p>If i may ask, where are you commuting from??</p>
<p>South Bound Brook, which is a small town that may/may not have ever heard of. . .it’s about 15/20 minutes from NB and a little less from Piscataway. I could either take Easton Ave straight from SBB to New Brunswick or I could take River Road to Rt. 18 to George St.</p>
<p>Yea, you have to buy a parking pass (I think they are like $180) and you get an assigned parking lot and have to take the buses around the campus. I’m actully moving up there soon, but will still technically be commuting because it’ll be like 15-20 minutes away. Apartments in New Brunswick are ridiculous haha</p>
<p>commuting totally sucks. but then again your lucky in one way because its only 15-20 mins away. I live pretty close to Rutgers as well and I commute but I really regret not dorming my freshman year. Its kinda hard making friends and getting to know people as a commuter since you are pretty much focused on just leaving and going to class. Most people usually become friends with people in their dorms and on their floor. As a commuter you will have to be outgoing and make a conscious effort to get to know people, don’t be shy and expect others to approach you. It can be hard to talk to people in large classes but try to make conversation and interact in classes in which there aren’t as many.</p>
<p>definitely try to stay on campus/in the city as much as possible…thats what I plan on doing anyway! </p>
<p>My community college was about 35 minutes away from my house now so I stayed on campus as much as possible and it helped my social life and my grades!</p>
<p>I wanted to dorm but I live so close to RU that financially it didn’t make sense. I’m usually pretty shy when meeting new people but I’ll try to open up. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>i could see how commuting would be really difficult, especially socially. but you know, just be really open and extra friendly and everything (not in a creepy friendly kind of way, but you know). I have a guy friend now who is a commuter (he lives 40 minutes away) and he sleeps over in our all-girls dorm all the time. he met one of my floormates at a bus stop on the way to the involvement fair and now he’s our honorary male resident 
yes, it is very cute. he’s also met a lot of other people through classes and through clubs; getting involved on campus is key if you are commuting. it’s a great way to meet people and to feel more involved in the rutgers community.</p>
<p>Haha, that’s cute naoise – “honorary male resident” =)</p>
<p>Don’t feel that being a commuter will be suicidal. You can still make friends.</p>
<p>I know a few people in marching band that commute and their social life doesn’t suck, especially since we’re in contact with one another practically every other day during football season, so you’re bound to make friends with 150-something other people. </p>
<p>Not saying that you should join marching band (but if you play an instrument and you want to . . . do it! There are a lot of cool people!), but the point is that by just getting involved, you’ll feel more comfortable =)</p>
<p>Dorm life could make a difference, but it’s not that great as people make it out to be. I’ve only been friendly with 2 or 3 people in my entire dorm, but I’m more closer to people who DON’T live with me. You’re not missing much: random screaming and yelling @ 2am, garbage in the hallways, stairwells that smell like vomit, smeared fecal matter on bathroom walls (ok, that incident happened once), etc.</p>
<p>Of course, not everyone experiences all of the above mentioned (except me). But basically, I think dorm life is too hyped up. By Sophomore year, no one really cares anymore.</p>
<p>The smeared fecal matter on the bathrooms have happened twice actually … guess you’re behind on the times. There was also that hate crime incident on first floor. Anyways, I’ve gotten to known my floor pretty well and I like them a lot, but we’re not super tight. My roommate, on the other hand, loves the people here and is getting a house with them next year.</p>
<p>It depends on your personality and your floor, I guess. I would definitely suggest that you join a couple of clubs that you’re interested in. They’re a great way to meet people (especially upperclassman)!</p>
<p>What the hell?! The “crap” incident happened TWICE?! 0_o</p>
<p>I’m just ticked off that we have to suffer the consequences. I mean, I’m sure when split between the floors it might be like $10.00 or something, but I’m still ticked off. I still don’t understand how someone could do that though. That’s really gross . . . not to mention unsanitary.</p>
<p>I commute, but I live in HP and the bus stop is very close. You lack a lot when you live off-campus. I often find myself perplexed and confused about things: like Monopoly Night on Cook-Douglas and that one time I went to Brower Commons on Friday afternoon and people were doing the Soulja Boy outside.</p>
<p>About parking, you get a parking pass to one specific campus and you’re forced to take the bus to any other campus you have classes on. I was told on STAR day this is because they want you to “experience the diversity of all the campuses.” Which sounds a lot less dreamy when you’re the guy/girl standing on the steps near the bus door.</p>
<p>I didn’t hear about the smeared feces in any bathrooms. That’s interesting. But what the hell is with the men’s bathrooms on campus not having any locks?</p>
<p>^ I probably would have been perplexed by people doing the Soulja Boy outside of Brower too, lol =D</p>
<p>The feces thing happened in my dorm – Metzger Hall – on Busch campus. So no one knew about it except those residing there. </p>
<p>I don’t know how you can “experience the diversity of all the campuses” when you’re in a rush to get to your class on Cook/Douglass from Busch, while being packed in the bus like sardines, and having some creep breathing down your neck XD</p>
<p>Lurker and Mushaboom, we’re all in the same dorm…creepy. SEE YOU AROUND 
(for a few more days)</p>
<p>And about the feces…people really need to grow up. It’s sad these people got accepted to college.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys. I’m sure I’ll have the chance to “experience the diversity of all the campuses.”</p>
<p>all I can say is New Brunswick is a mess when it comes to traffic, especially from 4-6 PM.</p>