Commuter Student Survival Guide

Are you a commuter student, feeling lost and alone? Perhaps you're entering college soon and looking for advice? You've come to the right place, because as a former commuter student myself, I have some great tips, tricks and essential gear for you!

There are lots of reasons why college students choose to commute to school rather than living on campus - availability of housing, cost of tuition, jobs and family obligations are just a few. Commuting to college can be a great option for people who are attending school part-time, are non-traditional students, or are going to a community college before transferring to a university. Commuting can give you the freedom to live at home or at an off-campus apartment, save money, keep your job, or care for your children or parents.

The downside of being a commuter student is that you may feel left out of on-campus events or clubs, you will have to plan your schedule more carefully and with less flexibility, you may have to deal with traffic or weather challenges on your way to school, and you must carry all that you need in a day on your person every day. These are all challenges that you can overcome if you keep a positive attitude and reach out for assistance when needed, so don't let them discourage you from being a commuter student!

Avoid The Commuting Blues

1. Join your school's commuter student organization and meet other commuters like yourself! Talk to people a year or two ahead of you, and get their advice on the best places to hang out on campus, who has the best coffee, which parking lot fills up fastest, etc.

2. Make time to make friends. Ask a classmate if they want to get lunch and study, or grab some coffee before class. When you need to borrow some notes after a sick day, you'll already have someone you can ask, and a friend too.

3. Get involved with on campus activities like clubs, service organizations, honor societies or religious groups. You'll make friends and have something to put on your resume too.

If you are a commuter student, you are going to be carrying a lot of things around with you all day and possibly all night. It is essential that you have a sturdy, well-made, comfortable bag. This is your "home away from home" while you are at school, so this is one area to really invest in something that will last.

The Timbuk2 Commute 2.0 Laptop Messenger Bag is widely considered the best bag for commuters out there, and I highly recommend it. They last forever, and you will not regret making this investment.

Commuter Student Safety Tips

As a commuter student, you will have two main challenges as compared with residential students.

First, you have to carry everything with you while you are commuting, as you don't have a nearby dorm room to run to. This is where the commuter student bag, backpack or briefcase is crucial, but it is not always enough. If your school offers lockers for rent for commuter students, definitely take advantage of that opportunity. Having a locker will allow you to stash books, snacks, an extra sweaters or personal toiletries at school, instead of having to drag them with you every day. This is particularly crucial for students using public transportation.

Second, as a commuter you may encounter some safety and security issues that your friends on campus will avoid. For example, your car may break down, or you may be stuck in bad weather on the road. For commuters who drive, it is especially important to have an emergency kit in your car. You should have one anyway!

Hopefully, you will get through school without any major emergencies. However, everyone gets a paper cut or a headache once in a while, so a small emergency kit is a great item to keep in your locker at school or in your car. This kit is designed by the American Red Cross and includes everything you might need in an emergency.

In addition to a basic first aid kit, you may want to add in things for your own personal situation and needs. For example, if you get hungry between classes, stick a box of granola bars in your locker. If you can't live without your coffee, keep a travel mug with you at school. Other things to stash in your locker or in a bag in the trunk of your car might be an extra sweatshirt, an umbrella, extra socks, a comb, or toiletries. I've chosen a few things that I would want below, but pick your own items based on your own desires.