5 Things I Learned in My First Semester of University as a Commuter Student

Have you ever been told that life as a university student is very different from high school? When people told me life in high school was different from elementary school, I didn’t find that exactly true. However, this time they were not kidding. 

As a commuter student, I’ve learned so much in these first few months, and now I’m here to share that with you! So, here are five things I learned in my first semester of university as a commuter student.

Create a strict morning and nighttime schedule

For some, your school may not be 10 minutes away from you anymore. So, unfortunately, you won’t be able to wake up half an hour before school and rush out the door. You need to make sure you wake up on time so you have enough time to get ready and not leave anything behind. 

It’s also equally as important to go to bed early. There have been many times when I’ve stayed up late to finish assignments and woken up feeling exhausted during my classes. The content explained during lectures is quite important and may not be repeated again. So, falling asleep during class isn’t so fun. Setting and following a morning and nighttime routine took a while for me, but it’s definitely worth it!

Packing lunch is a game changer

Although it may be time-consuming, bringing your own lunch is essential. For the first few weeks, I was buying lunch near campus, but let’s face it, the cost adds up and sooner than you think — you’ll start to notice drastic declines in your bank account. 

Even though it may not always be the tastiest option, packing a lunch can be a healthier and more cost-effective alternative than eating out every day. Therefore, I have decided to go grocery shopping every weekend to buy the required ingredients to make fresh and tasty meals. Make sure you pack a couple of snacks too! 

Staying late on campus to complete assignments 

As soon as I get home from campus, I feel the urge to take a huge break — a result of my staying up late to get work done.

However, some upper-year students advised me to finish my schoolwork on campus before I get home. The idea of staying on campus for longer than I needed to did not seem appealing at all, but it was a game changer. 

Most times, I found a quiet space on campus, finished all my work without distractions and then went home with a free mind. It’s also important to note that some projects and assignments take longer to complete. For longer assignments, I complete as much as I can on campus, take a break while commuting, and complete the rest when I get home. This is certainly something I will be continuing this semester.

University involves a social life as well

As someone who likes meeting new people and spending time with friends and family, the long hours of commuting impacted my social life quite a bit. I noticed that my friends who lived in residence were able to allocate more time towards school clubs and events while I was running to catch my train. 

Last semester, I would meet up with friends during my breaks in between classes or would commute home together to maintain a social life. However, this semester I’ve decided to set some time aside to join student clubs and attend social events, even if that means I have to get home later than usual!

Remember to treat yourself

University life can be quite exhausting. It’s okay to have those days when you don’t feel like getting out of bed and attending your back-to-back classes. I’ve always been used to pushing myself to be productive, but sometimes all I need is a little break. 

On days like this, I promise myself a treat after class. Many times this ‘treat’ can be a donut or pretzel. But there was one time when I ran out of lipgloss and promised myself to do a Sephora run! The point is, sometimes, we just need a little treat to keep going, and that’s completely understandable.

Being a commuter student can be hard, but it does come with its own benefits! Simultaneously, it’s just important to develop tricks to overcome those challenges.