Campus Commuting

Gone are the days of rolling out of bed 15 minutes before class and getting there five minutes early.

After three years of living on campus, I opted for the freer life by living off campus in a house with four roommates. And just like that, I'm now a commuter.

I loved the convenience of living on campus. I had most of what I needed. My suite was already furnished, and I didn't even need to worry about cleaning the bathroom.

But it had gotten old trying to stuff all my possessions into half a dorm room. The crummy mattresses weren't cutting it for me anymore, and neither was the endless list of "don'ts." Friends had already tasted the sweet life in their off-campus apartments, and well, I wanted in.

It takes a few adjustments to make the switch to commuting. I haven't quite settled into my routine. I get nervous in the morning that I'll leave my house and forget something essential. I'd been spoiled being able to run back to my room to grab what I needed.

Before I moved off campus, I never cared to check the weather before getting dressed in the morning. I'd take a guess and if I was wrong, I'd change the first chance I got. Now, I'm the fool wearing jeans and a sweatshirt while all the other women don their cutest summer attire. Did I get the memo that it was going to be in the 80s? Nope.

I hate to be predictable, but I could never talk about the joys of commuting without touching on the parking situation. There is parking on campus, but you'll have a small hike to get to where you need to be. I rejoice when I can get a spot in Lot G, but I know realistically there's a spot in Lot M with my name on it.

As a commuter, a new phenomenon is needing to plan time to eat. I used to have the contents of a mini mart crammed into my little fridge. I've already had several days when, in my rush to get to campus early so I don't have to park at Tops, I haven't planned for time to eat. The result is being forced to wait in the endless line at Salsarita's and showing up to class wearing my lunch because I had to eat while running across the quad.

The worst part by far is having to be in class, somewhat functional, at 8 a.m. sharp. I will always be miserable and delirious at that hour, and yet I have to be sure I make it, no matter the state of exhaustion I'm in.

But even all that's just the easy stuff. As much as I love being free of dorm life, I may change my tune when I have to dig my car out of a snow bank and trek across the tundra to get to class.

Julia Merulla can be reached by email at merulla.record@live.com.