Many people wonder, do you get the full experience of college if you’re a commuter?
My answer is that getting the full experience is what you make of it, whether you’re a commuter or not.
I have been commuting since freshman year. Now that I am almost a junior, I have adjusted easily to the whole commuting back and forth to school sort of thing.
In my opinion, commuting isn’t all that bad. As long as you become involved in activities, hang out occasionally on campus and obtain social and friendly qualities, you’ll fulfill the college experience.
You don’t need to live on campus to experience the typical college life. Let’s face it, the “college life” is a superficial illusion. It’s not as wild and crazy as they portray it in the movies. Well, Cabrini isn’t for the most part.
Of course during freshman year, college is new and exciting, so it may seem that way at first. However, after adjusting to your freedom, partying on campus gets old after awhile. Which is one of the reasons why commuting can be a plus, since you won’t have that feeling of missing home and being stuck on campus.
So you may be thinking, how would I know about freedom and being on my own if I commute?
Although I still live at home, that does not mean that I live a Cinderella-curfew lifestyle. My mom has been lenient since I have started college, so I don’t feel like I’m being babied. And plus, I get the reward of home-cooked meals after a long day at school.
A disadvantage of commuting is parking. Cabrini’s parking lots are usually over packed with cars and it gets annoying after awhile searching for a spot. I do not have a car of my own; however, when I get the privilege to use my mom’s car I can say that I have trouble finding a good spot.
Depending on rides is another disadvantage of commuting and not having a car of your own. Sometimes it becomes frustrating when I have to compensate with my mom or brother’s schedules. Waiting for the Cabrini shuttle bus isn’t convenient either, since it runs on a timely schedule.
The Center for Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL), provides a commuter club, which benefits commuter students. The commuter club hosts events and contributes to commuters, providing giveaways and snacks. So at least us commuters can feel appreciated.
Being a commuter does not mean you will not have as much fun as students living on campus and it does not mean that you will not get the same privileges.
If you are a commuter, or plan to be a commuter, there are ways you can go about making your one and only college experience worthwhile.
Get involved. That is the key to fulfilling a college experience. Yes, getting involved requires a lot of time and dedication; but all of the hard work pays off in the long run.
There are many benefits of getting involved. By getting involved in sports, clubs and extracurricular activities on campus, you’re creating an opportunity to make new friends and create lasting memories.
On campus, I am involved in the newspaper, radio station and work with video. It may seem like a lot to handle, but I am learning and experiencing so much while making life-long friends in the process; and all of this experience is preparing me for life after college.
Find something that you love doing. Whether it is playing a sport, joining or creating a club, being a DJ for the radio station or reporting for the news show, the possibilities are endless.
It all depends on you and you’re determination to engage in all that Cabrini offers.
Why not make the best of your college experience? It only happens once in a lifetime, whether you’re a commuter or not you might as well enjoy it while you can.
