Commuter restrictions

By Staff Writer
September 25, 2003

Marisa Gallelli

When I first started applying to colleges the last thing on my mind was whether to live on campus or commute.

When I went to orientation, I got the first taste of what college life was going to be like. It was fun. I made some great friends and on the whole had a really good time. Nonetheless, I decided that living on campus just wasn’t for me.

Some would say that commuting is a good thing. I sleep in my own bed, my mom cooks me dinner, and I don’t have to worry about the people I’m going to live with. I always thought being a commuter would be the best thing, because if I stayed on campus I didn’t think I would get any work done. Well, now I’m starting to think I was wrong. I don’t regret choosing to be a commuter, but not many residents realize how hard it is.

I consider myself lucky. In the beginning of my freshman year I would go to class and go home. About two weeks into the semester, I started to hang out with one of the friends I had made during orientation. I had a good time and ultimately, because of him, made a couple more really good friends. I consider myself lucky, because it is hard to meet people when all you do is go to class and go home. Being able to go up to school at night and hang out gave me something to look forward to.

At first I was really upset that I did not choose to live on campus. Coming back at night started to be a hassle. When you are a commuter the driving becomes too much. I hate driving.

It was beginning to get harder not being a resident. I would be out until late and still would have to drive home. In the morning I would be tired and would end up missing some of my classes. Thankfully, I realized this and have not made the same mistakes this year. It took me a while to get my priorities straight.

Commuters are often not looked at as “real” college students. But we have the same problems, maybe even a couple more, than those who live on campus. For example, what does a commuter do when there is a break between their classes? Going to WaWa gets really old after a while, so does going to the library. I scheduled all my classes so I would not have to figure out something to do for an hour and a half.

Now, do not get me wrong, I do like being a commuter. It’s right for some people. Others, however, after living at home for 18 or however many years, want to get out and live on their own.

Being a commuter does not interfere with becoming an adult. It may seem like it takes away the independence one would gain from living elsewhere, but it actually gives you more of what you would face in adulthood. I have to get up three hours before my first class instead of 45 minutes. You need to go out of your way to get involved.

Being a commuter is hard, but it gets you to get your priorities straight. This comes with just being a college student in general.

Posted to the web by Marisa Gallelli

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