Commuter Student Tips

By Ashley Paskill on November 5, 2017

Commuter students have a lot to deal with. They have to factor their commuting time into their daily schedules and often have to give up evening and weekend schedules due to work or other obligations. However, there are ways for commuters to take advantage of what their campus has to offer while balancing their responsibilities.

1. Join an organization that meets during the day.

Student organizations are a great way to network, learn something new, and make new friends on campus. While it may seem that every possible organization meets at night, there are several that meet during the day. Ask around or look on your college’s organization database to find an organization that fits your schedule. There is always the option of starting your own student organization that meets during the day if you cannot find one.

2. Take off of work, if possible, to attend events.

While many events may take place during the day or week, there are also many events that occur at night or on the weekends. If an event is coming up that may benefit your career, such as a conference or networking opportunity, try to take off work. Even if you are interested in an event for the fun of it, request off. Everyone deserves to have fun! If you have to go to an event for class and are having difficulties getting off work, talk to your professor to see if there is an alternative.

3. Use technology to help work on group projects.

Group projects are difficult, but if you commute when everyone else lives on campus, they may arrange to meet up after you leave campus. Use technology to your advantage. Ask your group if you can video chat during the meeting. Use a document sharing site to be able to contribute to the work without having to be there in person. At minimum, email, call or text your group to keep in touch and to make sure you are doing everything you can to help.

4. If professor office hours conflict with your other responsibilities, set up an appointment or alternative means of meeting if you need to.

Professors and students tend to have different schedules. This can make it difficult to attend professor office hours. However, professors tend to be understanding with these sorts of things. Explain to them in an email or after class that you cannot make it to their office hours and ask if you can work something else out. Sometimes, professors can make it a point to change something in their schedules to be able to meet with you. Your professor may be able to talk on the phone or video chat with you.

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