Shifting gears on commuter life: Advice from commuters and staff at Muskingum
By Ryleigh Lawhorne
NEW CONCORD, Ohio—Most freshmen settle into dorm rooms during the first few weeks of the semester and are given resources and tips on their new life on campus. Commuter students, on the other hand, can feel lost on how to integrate into their new campus community.
According to muskingum.edu, about 35% of students at the university are commuters. While many commuter students figure out how to manage this lifestyle over time, some commuter students find it challenging to get the full college experience. Current Muskingum staff and students offer advice on making the most of your time at Muskingum University as a commuter.
Jillian Morrow is a second-year nursing student and commuter at Muskingum University
/ Photo by Daniella Bean Photography
Jillian Morrow, a commuter and second-year nursing student, encourages fellow commuters to get classwork done in between classes or intentionally set aside blocks of time in their busy schedule to get work done. Doing so can also be beneficial if the work must be completed in the classroom, like with most labs. Scheduling study time into the school day could help reduce stress and create a better workflow.
Jaedyn Lallithan, a first-year commuter in the nursing program, said she shares online calendars with her friends to coordinate social outings and to hold each other accountable.
Jaedyn Lallithan / Photo by Crooked Halo Photography
An academic support specialist at Muskingum University, Linda Hatfield, stressed that the most important thing a commuter student can do to improve their experience is to learn time management. She explained that managing time is like budgeting money.
“When you know where each minute of your time is going, even if you want to be a couch potato for two hours, then you can know that you are making use of all your time, because you’re not going to get more,” Hatfield said. Hatfield recommends getting a planner, paper or digital, and getting familiar with time blocking your day.
Preparing for weather changes and resources available on campus
Muskingum’s hills and seasonal weather can make the campus scenic, but weather changes and steep walks can turn an unprepared commuter’s day bitter. Reliable walking shoes are essential for getting around campus safely and comfortably. An umbrella or rain jacket is always nice to keep in your car for rainy days. It is a good idea to keep a large water bottle and to pack a lunch if you do not have a meal plan on campus. Wearing layers of clothes can make sitting in cold and hot classrooms more comfortable.
Bringing extra hygiene products, like deodorant, can help you feel fresh all day. The commuter lounge, on the bottom floor of Brown Chapel and Montgomery Hall, provides “Bare Necessities” booths that offer extra hygiene products for students who cannot afford to buy them. It may also be a good idea to make sure your car is stocked with emergency equipment, such as a first aid kit or a spare tire, in case of a problem during the commute.
There are plenty of support systems and places on campus for commuters if you know where to look. Hatfield’s primary job is to ensure that every student feels like they have the necessary resources to succeed academically. This includes academic coaching, her Keys to Success program, and being a part of the academic concerns team. This is not the only academic resource, though. For almost every class available on campus, there is free tutoring through Tutor Ocean. Every professor must also have office hours to help students succeed in class.
One of the best resources offered on campus for commuters is free lounge spaces to get work done and to meet people. The commuter lounge on the bottom floor of Brown Chapel is an excellent space for commuters. There are comfy couches, large worktables, desktop computers, and kitchen appliances for lunch. Commuters can also go to the library for a quieter workspace or go to one of the many lounges scattered across campus.
A good way for commuters to improve their overall experience is to get involved on campus and to meet new people. While it may seem that getting involved would add more stress to a busy schedule, it could improve your experience.
Academic clubs are a great gateway to meeting new people with whom you have common interests. Many commuter students also take to Greek life to join tight-knit communities. Lallithan said that not only does joining Greek life help you meet tons of people, but participating in recruitment can also help new commuters branch out.
Morrow agreed and added that even if you don’t have time for clubs, going to a few meetings to meet people can help create lasting friendships.
“Maybe go to like one meeting or even go through recruitment,” Morrow said. “Even if you don’t join into a sorority or fraternity, you are at least meeting a bunch of different people.”
Hatfield’s number one recommendation for being engaged in the classroom is also to be engaged outside of the classroom. When you have a reason to want to show up to school, you begin to perform better and have a better experience.
College is the time to let go of old habits and try new things. As a commuter, you can save money by not living on campus, pursuing an education, and maintaining a social life. Let’s switch gears on the tired stereotypes of commuter life and embrace a tradition of involved and prepared commuters.
