By Gloria Vittadello
Staff Writer
For many students, the college experience includes dorm rooms, late-night study sessions and having a newfound freedom away from home. But for commuters, students who travel to and from campus every day, life becomes a different balancing act — one that consists of gas stations, late-night car rides and a lingering feeling of “do I belong here?”
The Commuter Life
There are pros to being a commuter: paying significantly less than those who live on campus, having the freedom to come and go as you please (though finding a parking spot on campus can be treacherous) and opportunities for personal growth.
But the question remains: can a commuter really experience college life to the fullest?
As a commuter, it is easy to feel left out. Not being on campus, steps away from everything the College offers, makes it harder to show up and put in the effort. It’s frustrating, wanting to do clubs and events on campus, when they don’t fit in your schedule as someone travelling everyday. It often leaves me with the inflicting scenario of; I can wait and stay on campus, but then I may be too tired to drive home.
As a commuter, driving to and from college daily only adds to the already overwhelming transition from high school to college.
In addition to juggling new academic expectations, making friends and the immense independence college presents, commuter students also contend with long commutes, unexpected traffic and limited time on campus. All of which makes it harder for these students to network and effectively use all of the resources the College provides.
How the College is Making Space for Commuters
To try to assuage the hardships of commuter life, the College has implemented outlets for commuters to meet people and experience college life. There was a pop-up commuter lounge, a commuter picnic during Welcome Week, a GroupMe and even a commuter breakfast, according to commuter students.
These endeavors have not gone unnoticed, but they’re not without tribulations.
When reflecting on Welcome Week, Caitlin Potter, a first-year psychology major said, “I’m glad that it was more of an all-day thing, but there were some events with huge breaks in between, so I was like, I’m not coming back to this”
For many commuters, a large break in between isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a decision point. Choosing to either stay on campus, potentially for hours, with no dorm or private place to go to, or going home and missing out.
The College’s Wonderful Community
Though being a commuter is hard, the College’s welcoming community makes all the difference.
“I’ve met like five people that have offered to let me stay in their dorm for the night, so having that as a commuter makes life so much easier.” Potter explained.
These acts of kindness are greatly appreciated, she declared.
Being a commuter has its challenges, but here at the College, with its diverse clubs and organizations, making friends is not out of the question.
“Just as long as you join a club,” Potter described, “there’s really not a whole lot that is holding you back from having an involved social life. You just have to put your best foot forward!”
For commuter students, feeling connected may take extra undertaking, but it’s far from impossible. Whether they’re driving in from 20 minutes away or over an hour, commuter students are still part of the heart of campus, even if they leave before sunset.
