I wake up with a hazy interpretation of my surroundings. There is a faint, rapid, pinging sound that becomes increasingly louder as I continue to awaken myself. Often times, it does not take long for me to realize that this pinging sound is my iPhone playing alarm clock. Disappointment immediately sets in because sleep sounds much better than being an adult in that moment. Despite that thought, I manage to roll out of bed (quite literally) and attempt to start my day. I find whatever clothes make me feel somewhat together. I rush downstairs and make coffee in hopes of staying alert for the better part of the day. After brushing my teeth, I sit down with the few minutes I have to spare and I check the traffic. This is a morning routine made most common by a college commuter.
Many people I know who live on campus or have a nearby apartment have used "commute" synonymously with words like "impossible" or "challenging" or "an inconvenience". This, of course, was something that brainwashed me over three and a half years ago when I was awaiting my very first semester. I remember being heavily conflicted because I only lived 15 minutes from campus and I just did not see it as a necessity. It came down to living on campus and commuting, and I made the conscientious decision to go with the latter.
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As I approach my final semester of my undergraduate study, I reflect on my previous years as a commuter and there are very few times, if any, where I found myself using words like "impossible" or "challenging". I see myself as an opportunist, and this was just another opportunity. Before I came to Cleveland State, I knew absolutely nothing about downtown. My parents would take my brother and I to several sporting events, but I never paid any attention to how we made it in or out of downtown. I remember stressing myself out trying to find CSU during orientation week and taking what seemed like forever to park my car. I would have to leave twice as early to ensure that I would make it to class on time. Once I was able to get my footing, I navigated downtown like the back of my hand.
I now know downtown better than just about anyone that I know. This exists because I had the opportunity (not the inconvenience) to commute as a student for years. This would never be the case if I spent the majority of my semester simply walking from one building to another. I attend an urban university, and I believe that is something worth exploring.
I am proud to be a commuter.
