<p>I am transferring to a new college this fall, how can I make sure that I stay involved w/ campus actitvities?...I live about 20-30min away from campus which seems like nothing but it will definitely suck up alot of gas & end up costing me alot of money. My classes are at 8am-12pm 4 days a week...Im taking about 5 classes....all the clubs meetings start later in the afternoon 3-5...no way I am hanging around campus that long...</p>
<p>I cant change my classes b/c I just changed my major so I signed up late and I was lucky to get those classes...</p>
<p>Anyway, any tips? How can I get involved in the campus community? Would I be better off moving near campus??</p>
<p>Maybe you could do your homework/readings/studying in the time between your final class and your club meeting(s). Or, since you're only a 20-30 minute drive away, you could spend the extra gas money and drive back to campus later in the day. </p>
<p>I would encourage you to be involved in your college community, even if regular clubs are out of the question. It really makes a world of difference in one's college experience. </p>
<p>Some of us have it worse. I manage to do the club thing, and I commute to campus by train and subway -- about an hour there and an hour back.</p>
<p>I will be a freshman commuter this year (20min drive), for I can't afford to live in the dorms. Although, I was lucky and got a good schedule. I will have class from 10-5 two days of the week and 1-2 three days of the week. That leaves plenty of time for coming to school early and staying late on those 1 hour days, and having a night social life on those 7 hour days. I'll join some clubs and try out for the school play, and get a job. So, in actuality, if you're an extroverted person I don't think you will have trouble getting involved, even with a bad schedule. I'm with Fides et Ratio.</p>
<p>I had a really short commute, as I lived in town, so it made things really easy.
At my university club activities tended to be at night, so there were almost no commuter students involved. I know a few commuter students who were okay with this since they worked. But the ones that didn't felt they missed out.
One of the best things I did, was to go on the commuter meal plan. I got to eat breakfast or lunch or both depending on my schedule. I also ate a few dinners, if I new I would be busy that night. I was lucky since the plan allowed me to buy extra meals at the same per meal plan.
It was so much better than going to the food court or any fast food place. Plus, I got to meet more people that way.</p>
<p>Thats why I am kinda worried b/c I am really introverted & shy...I have a hard time making friends. Night meetings will be really hard to make...so yeah that will suck. I wish I lived in the city. I dont know how it will work...</p>
<p>Virtually the only way that you'll make friends is by getting involved in one or two clubs or other activities. My advice is to study in the school library after your last class, and then go to a club meeting. </p>
<p>Otherwise, it will be very hard to make friends because most college students either make their friends through clubs, volunteering, or participating in sports on campus or through meeting people who live in their dorm. </p>
<p>Even on commuter campuses, people make their friends through clubs.</p>
<p>You've got to study anyway, so may as well do it on campus after your last class.</p>
<p>I am definitely an exception to the rule. There arent many commuters at my school. Its a residential campus. Which is why Ive been thinking about moving b/c there is literally nothing to do away from campus b/c the school is surrounded by small towns.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips...I'll def. try them..hopefully it works out.</p>