Tip #2 -Commuting

Thinking about choosing a school that includes a commute in the route? Whether it be a community college or a four-year college, the workload can be rough. Do you really want to add a half-hour drive into the mix each way? However, thinking economically, do you have the option of free housing (e.g. with family or friends)? because the cost of gas to drive to school and the parking pass may be less than the cost of on campus housing. In my situation, going to a university without housing of any kind, I had no choice but to commute. There is no university parking either, so getting a pass is out of the question. I had to fight for a parking space a mile from the campus every day. These are things to think about...

If you are considering commuting, you aren't alone. 87% of all college students live off-campus.

So, here are the options:
1) Pay for the car (insurance, purchasing cost, etc...), gas, and parking.
2) Live on campus
3) Public transportation

1) Pros:

• Perfect for that trip into town or late night pranks a little ways away
• face it: anybody who has a car in college is cool -Ergo you'll make friends
• Ever need to get away? Now you can.

Cons:

• A car accident could really ruin your plans even if you didn't cause it
• sometimes (like me) parking is not available so get ready to do walking
• People always ask for rides, but these poor college students can never seem to pay for gas
• adding more empty time to your schedule might break it!

2) Pros:

• You can experience the college atmosphere
• friends are next door
• the campus is a two minute walk--always.
• Wake up two minutes before class? No time, no problem

Cons:

• Can't see your family and friends back home
• Economic Cost
• You might not be ready to "live" with someone

3) Pros:

• Last minute assignment need polishing, and the commute allows for hands-free
• Cheap--cost of gas is more than the bus ticket
• Many colleges offer transportation discounts for students. Mine was $45 flat rate no matter how often I traveled.

Cons:

• Stops: the commute can be much longer when the bus stops at every street corner
• If you miss the bus, thats all there is. Wait for the next one and suck up being late to class
• Tricky to figure out at first. A few calls home with "Mom, Im lost" whipped me into bus-chart-reading shape

Sorry to be so long-winded! There it is. Any of the three choices work for any college student. Just make sure that the one you pick works well for you! Until next tip...