For many incoming college students, becoming a college commuter student is the right option. Many students do not have the option to live on campus in a dorm or other student housing, and others simply do not want this option. Here are some tips to help commuter students succeed in college.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a College Commuter Student
First, for students who have the choice between living at home and living on campus, it’s important to consider whether becoming a commuter student is the right choice. There are certainly advantages that come with this. For one thing, commuting to college often means saving significant amounts of money – although students should consider the cost of commuting when determining how much money this will save. Also, many traditional students simply are not ready to leave the house yet.
However, commuting comes with disadvantages as well. Students may struggle with relationships with family members, and may feel disconnected from campus life. Here are some more things to consider when thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a commuter student.
Commuter College Student Tip: Find a Good Place to Study
Most new college students struggle with the fact that college academics are more difficult than high school academics, and need to find a good place to get their work done. Commuter students don’t need to deal with drunken dorm floor neighbors and other on-campus hindrances to finding a good place to study. They, do, however, have other challenges – especially other family members, who may have demands that interfere with school work. Commuter students need to have conversations with family members – whether that’s parents, siblings, spouses, kids, or whomever else shares their space – about the need for a quiet, dedicated place to get work done uninterrupted.
Students also need to find the right physical environment for working. Some students study best with a quiet place at home. Other students prefer to keep school and home separate, and find a favorite work space on campus, at a coffee house, or at a local library. For some students, quiet is a necessity, and for others, noise can actually be beneficial. Students need to figure out what works best for them.
Time Management Tips for Commuter Students
All college students have challenges when it comes to time management, but college commuter students have unique ones. Demands for family time can make time management a challenge for commuter students. This is especially true for students with spouses and children, but it’s also a concern for commuter students who live with parents. Commuter students need to make it clear to family members that school work needs to be a priority – not the only one, but an important one.
Like all students, commuter students need to take the time to write out a schedule, and set aside enough appropriate time for studying. They also need to find ways to make their available study time count as much as possible. Here are some time management tips for college students to keep in mind.
Commuter College Student Tip: Organize the Best Commute Possible
College students have plenty of stress in their lives that’s inevitable, and for commuter students, the stress of commuting can add to this. Some commuter students are lucky to have an easy drive, bus ride, or bike ride to school. For others, though, stressors such as a long drive, bad traffic conditions, nasty weather, and lack of available parking can make commuting a nightmare.
As much as possible, take steps to minimize the stress associated with commuting. For example, students with a class that ends during rush hour can do homework on campus for a few hours, and leave when traffic is better. If there’s a parking problem, students can arrange to come in early before the lots fill up. And if possible, students can arrange to take all of their classes two or three days a week.
Of course, one of the best ways to simplify a commute – and save money – is to find a way not to drive alone in a car to school every day. If public transportation may be an option, investigate this. Many students prefer the freedom of a car, but the savings in money and stress of not driving can seriously outweigh the inconvenience. If public transportation isn’t an option, make a serious effort to find a carpool. Again, this may cause some time inconveniences, but these may be outweighed by savings in money and stress. Both public transportation and carpooling have another advantage: the opportunity to do some homework on the way to or from school while someone else drives. Of course, for students who live close to school, biking or walking is a great way to reduce to save money and stress while also working in some exercise.
Getting used to life as a college student can be a challenge. Take the time to find a good place to study and to practice effective time management, and develop an effective strategy to minimize a stressful commute. These steps can help students reduce the disadvantages of commuting and make the most of the advantages.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
