The Commuter’s Survival Guide:

3 Tips to Make Commuter Life Work for You

By Maya Enciso

BEING A COMMUNTER student at the Mount can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to plan everything from traffic to class schedules. Commuters don’t always get the credit they deserve for how much of a pro they have to be, building their whole day around brutal traffic patterns and packing a bag that has to last them for hours.

Many of us also know the feeling of stepping onto either campus and feeling more like visitors than full members of the community. It can make the college experience feel isolating at times. But it doesn’t have to be like that. While long-term changes take time, there are small, short-term steps that can help you feel more in control of your campus experience.

Tip 1: Be Your Own Community

The most challenging aspect that many commuters face is the sense of disconnection from the community. But the reality of that? You, yes, I mean you, must be the one to break the ice.

 ● Say hi to your neighbor. It’s crazy to think the simplest gesture could possibly be the most terrifying yet effective tip any college student could do. Since the person might also be another commuter. And bam, you just found your study partner and someone you could rant to about your introductory courses with.

● Find your digital space. It may be as complex for many commuter students to attend in person. Numerous organizations and departments actively post on Engage, allowing students to participate online. Show up. Yes, it may be nerve-racking, but it is the first step to connecting outside of class.

Tip 2: Hack the Campus

Treat the Mount like your home base, and not just a quick pit stop because you have to.

 ● Free, Free, Free. As frustrating as it may be to not do anything on campus during your free time. Utilizing the free spaces and transportation, the gym offers weekly workout classes posted at various times throughout the day, allowing students to access them. You could also use the free shuttles to travel to Westwood from Chalon or even grab some coffee in the USC village.

●Find your spot. Understandably, Doheny might not have a 24/7 commuter lounge like Chalon does (cough cough), but you can still find your own spot. A great place is the EDJ center, where they have small couches or even office spaces that you can use to relax or even nap for a bit.

Tip 3: Be Your Own Advocate

Most important tip: Your college experience will never change unless you advocate for yourself. You’re going to hear it all the time from many college students, but change can only come with being an advocate for yourself. This is especially apparent if you feel that something is missing on campus; you can definitely bring it to the university.

 ●The easy route might always be the best. As a commuter, many students want an alternative solution to participate in club events, so please ask. Ask for hybrid options for club events from the Student Affairs office. Request that there be more evening activities for nighttime students. Ask to rotate major university events to coordinate changes every year.

● The Big Ask. As easy as asking Student Affairs for changes to suit commuters better. There is also a change that needs to occur to provide commuters with a better space on the Doheny campus, such as a 24/7 student lounge, similar to the one at Chalon. Commuters also need a relaxing space.

Remember: Commuter advice is a two-part mission, as it involves creating your own community and serving as an advocate for future commuters.