Imagine stuffing your backpack with everything you need: a laptop, pencils, energy drink, water bottle, chargers, snacks (the snacks are a must), and a jacket. Now, you’re getting in a rundown SUV and zooming to the parking garage because you’re already running late. However, there is construction and traffic (your worst enemies) on the way, blocking your path. Then, you happen to be behind the slowest car in the parking garage. Now, you’re 10 minutes late, and everybody in class looks at you! This is only a small part of what a commuter goes through.
Besides the exaggerated scene, being a commuter isn’t entirely the worst. Even with obstacles, there are ways to look at the issues in a positive light. I cover three common commuter challenges: parking, dining, and FOMO. But I provide ways some commuters and I overcome these obstacles.
Parking Issues
You may have seen the TikTok videos or your commuter friend crying about parking being a huge problem in many universities. My best friend, Jedidiah, and I agree that parking on the USF Tampa campus is a hassle. I took a trip to USF Tampa and my friend was not exaggerating one bit about the parking situation. She even arrives earlier than the other commuters to find a parking space. USF St. Pete has better parking because the campus has fewer students, making the parking garage much easier to navigate. Therefore, I do not have to worry as much about coming earlier than the other commuters. When the parking garage is shut down, there have been times I have to circle the parking lot and wait for a space. Playing music or carpooling are effective ways to de-stress while circling the parking lot 100 times.
Dining Options
The dining options on the USF St. Pete’s campus are the reason I say, “the snacks are a must.” It’s not that the campus food is bad, it’s just that there aren’t many food options for commuters. There is the Tavern, The Grind, The Blenz Bowl, Kahwa, Starbucks, 727 Reef, and The Nest. However, The Grind, Kahwa, and Starbucks are cafes, not really a place to get a real lunch. The USFSP Bookstore Starbucks has some sandwich choices, but not a lot of variety. The 727 Reef is filled with sandwiches, large/small sushi trays, instant mac n cheese, chicken wraps, Bento, and more. Even though there are different types of lunch items in the 727 Reef, it gets boring when you eat the same sandwich or sushi. I could be wrong, but every time I look at the 727 Reef Fridge, there are no special lunches or rotation. Therefore, you see the same cold and packaged items daily. When you bring a snack, you prevent yourself from buying the expensive granola bars at the 727 Reef. My first visit to the 727 Reef made me instantly think that these prices are reallllyyyy expensive! Those prices make me instantly turn away and not look back. Before Bento was a restaurant in the 727 Reef, I would walk the 5-minute walk to Bento down the street. There are affordable and reasonable prices; however, I will not pay $6 for pieces of fruit and cheese. Some of my friends do agree that a $6 dollar chicken wrap is worth it because of how big it is, but a cheesecake is not worth $5 to them. If you don’t like 727 Reef, your options are the Tavern, The Blenz Bowl, and The Nest.
My friend, Genesis, overcomes the lack of food options on campus by bringing her lunch from home or treating herself to a croissant sandwich from Kahwa. I also bring my lunch or snack to prevent feeling hangry!
FOMO (Fear of missing out)
FOMO happens to everybody. As a commuter, you are constantly reminded that you are missing the “college experience” when you see your friends post on Instagram. Another Her Campus writer, Jasmine Diaz-Martinez, from LUM (Loyola University Maryland) also commented on the FOMO that commuters face. Jasmine changes her mindset to positive thinking to overcome her FOMO. There are many ways to combat FOMO and mine is to enjoy JOMO (joy of missing out). When I practice JOMO, I take short walks around campus or find a study room available to relax. I can enjoy being alone without feeling anxious. When I talk with my other commuter friends, they practice JOMO by sleeping or eating their lunch in their car. This activity gives them time to recharge after a long tiring class lecture. There are many different methods of JOMO that depend on the person.
Even though there are downsides to commuting, there are some positives too. You don’t have to worry about the dorm housing bills. The housing fee is no joke! I hear terrible stories of random dorm roommates. Although not all roommates are terrible, some of those stories still keep me away from the dorms. On the bright side, commuting to class also means I can go any place in St. Pete without public transportation.
Parking, dining, and FOMO are problems that commuters face; however, we don’t have to always look at the downside of those issues. Changing your mindset and thinking out of the box on different issues can help commuters look at the bright side of driving to campus.