Everyone has a different college experience. Some of us choose to commute while others choose to dorm. These are 10 different tips on how to improve your life as a college commuter.
Keep your car full of convenience items like napkins, mints, and snacks.
These convenient items could be the difference from a terrible day or a great day. This may seem like a slight exaggeration but small differences can quickly add up. For example, my days begin so much better when I can quickly reach for a snack or a mint during my commute. Also, these items come in handy for emergencies in case you're running late.
Develop a schedule to fill your gas for each semester.
As a commuter student myself, my classes begin at very different times every year. Some semesters I begin my days at 8 am while other semesters I begin my day at 12 pm. Despite these differences, all commuters will always need their car tanks full of gas. Oftentimes, this helps prevent wasting time to fill up on the way to college or on the way back.
Record the times for any club meetings and adjust your schedule accordingly.
Many commuter students are told it's more difficult to be involved with campus clubs due to their choice of commuting to college rather than dorming at college. However, anything is possible if you're willing to plan ahead. This tip has helped me become very active on campus despite being a commuter. Before each week begins, I record all of the meeting times for clubs. I pencil this into my college planner and adjust anything else on my schedule, so I'm able to attend the meeting stress free.
Pack your backpack according to the amount of breaks between all of your classes.
A common complaint among commuter students is that they have lengthy breaks in between classes. A lot students living on campus simply walk back to their dorms to nap or study on these breaks. Although commuter students do not have this option, they're many ways to ensure these breaks are used wisely. My favorite way to utilize my breaks in between classes is to find different study spots on campus. I pack my other classes textbooks, so I can do their assignments during these breaks. This enables me to have a balanced schedule where I feel less overwhelmed.
Change your routine up a bit like where you eat in between classes or spend time with a friend after classes.
Some commuter students struggle with feeling like a robot due to just coming to class and leaving as soon as they end. One way to tackle this feeling is to have implement some changes into your routine. The easiest way to create some change is to pick a different place to eat than you normally do. Secondly, hanging out with a close friend makes a worlds difference.
Utilize your phone to best assist yourself for classes and organizations.
My phone is my best friend for more reasons than how much I love scrolling through Instagram. It has helped me tremendously on numerous occasions due to my habit of taking photos of important information. Some examples of important information include screenshots of advising appointments and pictures of club meetings.
Check your professors office hours at the start of the semester and incorporate them into your schedule.
We all have some semesters where we face more academic hardships compared to other semesters. I have been blessed to have awesome professors who have helpful office hours. These office hours helped boost my grades much more than I expected. Therefore, I highly recommend all commuter students blend their professors schedules for office hours and their own personal schedules.
Maintain a social life through different avenues by reminding yourself it’s crucial to one’s development.
Loneliness is something that impacts every individual differently. As I started to commute during my freshman year, I couldn't help but feel lonely during the weekends. My weekends looked like sitting at home on Saturdays watching everyone partying at frat houses. I made a promise to myself to occupy my Saturdays with family instead of constantly looking at what everyone else was doing.
Remain positive towards your future through affirmations.
Anxiety about the future is something both commuting and dorming college students battle. During my times of loneliness, I used to dig myself into these pits of feeling very hopeless. I came out of it by consist positive affirmations about my future.
Block out the noise of everyone else’s college experience and focus on your own goals.
Social Media makes people feel like they need to stay up to date on everyone's lives around them. My one piece of advice is to simply block out these different noises of people's experiences of having their first apartment or first college party. You do not need to give up social media or block everyone who lives on campus, but not let their experiences impact your own personal feelings.
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