Whether you’re attending college close to home or living off campus to save on room and board, commuting to school can save you a lot of money. But living off campus comes with its own set of challenges, and it can be difficult to get the full college experience when you only show up on class days.
To really get a feel for campus culture as a commuter, you need to intentionally seek out on-campus experiences and go out of your way to build relationships. Here are some strategies to do that.
Make Socializing a Priority
When you’re living on campus, making friends can be easy. Often, all you have to do is walk outside of your room. But when you’re commuting to college, you have to work at making friends.
Make socializing a priority, even if it’s harder for you than it is for other students. That may include crashing at a friend’s apartment after a night of partying or staying on campus later than normal to grab dinner with folks.
It will be less convenient for you because you’re not living on campus, but it will pay off in the long run. The people you meet in college may become your lifelong friends. And if they’re part of the same academic circles, they may even help you land internships and jobs after graduation.
Find Time for Clubs
One of the best ways to meet people outside of the dorms is by joining on-campus clubs. Most schools have an annual fair where all the clubs set up booths and try to recruit members. Grab as many flyers as you can and start attending meetings. Intramural sports are another great way to meet people because you’ll have scheduled games and practices.
You usually have to attend a few meetings to determine whether a specific club is a good fit. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t automatically make a bunch of friends after the first couple of meetings. Try to be engaging, ask questions and stick around afterward to see if anyone wants to hang out.
Manage Your Finances
Most students commute to save money on room and board, but that doesn’t mean you can avoid budgeting. When you commute, you’ll pay more for gas, car maintenance and parking. If you don’t pack meals or snacks, you’ll also still need to eat at overpriced campus dining halls.
Try to create a budget so you don’t overspend on these categories. Bring protein bars and water bottles to class so you’re not tempted to grab something from the cafeteria. Set aside money every month for car repairs and look for coupons for oil changes.
If you’re going out with friends, bring your own drinks to pregame. Find free or low-cost events to attend on-campus, like movie screenings, campus concerts and more.
Also, you should evaluate how much it costs to live on campus and the money you spend on transportation and other expenses. While it may be less expensive to commute than it is to live in the dorms, getting an off-campus apartment may be cheaper or not much more expensive than commuting. Do the math to ensure that you’re making the best financial decision.
Plan Your Day Ahead of Time
When you live on campus, being spontaneous is a little easier. You can hit up the library, go home and eat lunch or hang out with friends in between classes.
But when you commute, you can’t afford to make decisions on the fly. You have to plan out your day in order to accomplish everything you want. Look at your week and see when you have to be on campus for classes and extracurricular activities.
Then, make a list of other activities you want to do, like meeting with a professor during their office hours or grabbing dinner with friends. See where it makes sense to squeeze in those events. Think of your schedule like a puzzle – everything needs to fit in the right place.
Consolidate Your Class Schedule
When you live off-campus, it’s wise to stack your classes back to back. That way, you don’t have to drive on campus every single day.
Try to find class times that let you avoid rush hour traffic. You should also find classes that work around club meetings or allow time to meet up with friends for lunch or dinner.
Use Campus Resources
When you live off-campus, it can be easy to feel disconnected from campus life. Take time to explore the resources available, like the campus gym, cafeteria, library and more. Using these facilities may also help you meet people and foster a sense of being a part of the campus community.
You’re already paying for these resources as a student, so you might as well use them. If you start making friends, ask them about aspects of campus they like. They might introduce you to things you never would have found on your own, like a bowling alley in the student union or a campus theater showing free movies on weekends.
Find an on-campus job
If you need a part-time job to cover your expenses, start by looking for opportunities on campus. You’ll likely meet other students if you get an on-campus job, and you’ll have plenty of time to forge relationships with your coworkers. Look at job postings around campus and check Craigslist.
If you already know students or professors, ask them if they have any suggestions on where to find a gig.
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