UNLV. Home of the Rebels...and the commuter students. Odds are, most of your friends and classmates live somewhere off campus, in all different parts of the Vegas valley. In fact, as of 2015, only 6% of the UNLV student body live on campus in the dorms. So, for the majority of us, the commuter life is one we know all too well. Here are a few of the many struggles us commuter students face:
1. Parking.
Everything parking-related is a struggle. The lack of spots. The mile-long walk to and from class. Buying an overpriced permit. Forgetting your permit and getting a parking ticket. You name it, we hate it. And that's just the half of it. Add in flooding, or the dreaded Thomas and Mack events, and us commuters are royally screwed for parking.
2. No place to take naps.
Sometimes, after an 8:30 AM lecture, all us college kids need is a little nap. And let me tell you from experience, the back of your car doesn't lend itself to a very comfortable snooze sesh.
3. Long breaks between classes.
No dorm room for us to run back to, as we wait a few hours for our next class. Instead, we are forced to hang out in the lib and sometimes, actually study. A drag, I know.
4. Traffic.
Getting to and from school is an adventure, to say the least. This is especially the case for those of us who attend commuter campuses in a big city. Leaving two hours before class isn't an odd habit for us, while kids on campus can roll out of bed 5 minutes before class and be there early. If you're late to class and blame it on traffic, your professor will most likely buy it.
5. Having to meet study groups somewhere off-campus because campus is too far away and everyone lives in different parts of town.
The lib is a perfect spot to work on projects, except for the fact that for most of us, it's a lengthy drive away. So, usually we meet up at some random Starbucks to get stuff done.
6. Not wanting to join clubs, because it means having to come to campus more often.
That campus commute is no joke for most of us! Clubs that meet on days we don't have school mean lots of extra driving. We know future employers want us to have been involved, but how can we spend more time in the car than we already do?! Struggle.
7. Google Docs is life.
The days of calling your parents to bring you your homework are long gone. And frankly, you can't make it home and back in time, in the case that you forget something. Thank the heavens for Google Docs.
8. The gym is super nice and a membership is included in tuition. UNLV Y U SO FAR?!
I think most of us would save a lot of money if we were able to utilize our FREE gym membership, as we could cancel our local ones! Ugh.
9. We are forced to buy food.
No fridge to store a pre-made lunch, so Panda Express it is.
10. Lack of school spirit.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Rebs as much as the next girl. But, we all know commuter schools definitely lack in the spirit category.
11. You sometimes feel like you're missing out.
Being a commuter student definitely doesn't look like the stereotypical college lifestyle. It takes a lot of hard work, and a lot of traveling. From time to time, we all feel like we are missing out by not experiencing dorms, roommates, and campus life in general.
12. But, you appreciate all the positives that come with being a commuter student.
On the plus side, you get to save money, and aren't stuck on campus all day long. As much as we envy those dorm kids from time to time, we can all appreciate the pros to being a commuter student.
