Commuting In College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Commuting In College

There and back again, hopefully without breaking the bank

19
Commuting In College
Timothy Marchakitus

If you’re preparing to start the college experience, you’re probably debating the drive/dorm options. I’ve never dormed and don’t plan on it, so I’ll only be advising about the former. If you’ve decided to commute, hopefully you already have a vehicle at your disposal. If not, we’ll work on that. Prepare yourself, for the critical steps in acquiring and preparing your college commute car.

1. Hunting for your beater:

Maybe you have a good chunk of change to hunt for a car, I’ll conservatively assume you don’t, being a college student. Having hunted for a couple of college cars myself, I’ve found there’s a very rough checklist that will get you rolling on a budget.

Vehicle starts and runs with no hiccups, get on a highway and get the vehicle up to cruising speed as a comprehensive test. Anything that sputters or stalls will likely need maintenance after a time.

Mileage is more important than age. A car’s physical age will usually impact its condition more than its chronological age. I’ve seen many instances of 20-year-old cars running longer and smoother than newer, but higher mileage vehicles.

Avoid vehicles with significant undercarriage and body rust, if you have extreme winter conditions you run the risk of the vehicle rusting out more quickly.

More of a personal recommendation: I’ve found that old nineties Nissan sedans are pretty sturdy if you can find one with low mileage. For short range commutes, you can’t beat a '96/'97 Sentra. They’re small, and don’t do steep hills well, but I’ve made my 36-mile roundtrip commute in one for two years, and haven’t had one fail me. (I did fail one of the cars though, snowstorm and a telephone pole. To its credit, the car still runs and can putter its way around the farm, though it does pull to the left pretty hard)

2. Preparing and maintaining your vehicle:

College will keep you running and distracted most days, and you want your vehicle to help you, not hinder you. There’s a few things you can do to keep your car running, and more importantly, organized.

You’d be amazed how many textbooks, binders, and folders will find their way into your car, usually in the backseat. A milk crate in the backseat with a couple of dividers will help keep your books organized. You can usually divide them up by weekday (few college classes are five days a week, at least as far as I’ve seen)

Your glove box should always have a phone charger, a pair of gloves you can comfortably drive in, and breath mints (Trust me).

If you’ve got enough trunk space, keep a small box with a couple bottles of fluids; motor oil, coolant, antifreeze, and windshield wiper fluid. A pair of jumper cables never hurts either.

Regular Maintenance? Just suck it up and pay the price. It’s not worth the hassle you’ll have of replacing damaged components later. An oil change every 3000 miles, a tire rotation, and your yearly inspection will keep a vehicle running well for years.

Good luck. And please don’t drive like a jerk. Even if you’re late for class. Better off late than never arriving.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187534
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13170
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456572
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25819
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments