By Jessica Melnik, junior transfer student majoring in Paralegal Studies.
SURPRISE…not all Roosevelt students live on campus. Many commute to campus like I do. Here are the “A to Z” tips that each commuter commuting student can use.
A: Anticipate delays while traveling to class, so leave a few minutes early each day that you commute to campus.
B: Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid texting while walking and make sure everything is zipped up in your pockets and bags.
C: Check your email before heading off to campus. Nothing is worse than commuting 30 minutes or more only to discover that class was canceled the night before.
D: Don’t get discouraged about commuting! You have commuting perks such as saving money, sleeping in your own bed each night, and having your own bathroom.
E: Eat healthy by packing healthy and nutritious meals to eat while at school. Avoid eating fast food and food from vending machines.
F: Find a quiet and relaxing place to study and do homework while you are on and off campus.
G: Get involved in student organizations to stay connected with your peers. Just because you are a commuter student doesn’t mean that you can’t be involved in student activities!
H: Have a guilty pleasure…mine is coffee. It gets me through a long day of commuting.
I: Invest your free time and energy in something productive such as a part time job which helps you save money for future needs. Volunteering is also something very productive and looks great on your resume.
J: Just breathe…commuting to school can become hectic and overwhelming, but remember that commuting to school is only temporary for a few years.
K: Know alternative routes to school in the event that your main travel route is not an option.
L: Learn to say thank you to the family members and friends that may drive you to the train station, bus station or even all the way to campus.
M: Memorize your class schedule to avoid confusion. You don’t want to arrive for a 9:00 a.m. class on Monday, when that class actually meets on Tuesday!
N: Never make eye contact or speak with commuters who are acting in an odd or potentially dangerous manner. Stay near other fellow commuters.
O: Organizers or planners are a great way to keep track of assignment due dates, work schedule, student activities, and campus events.
P: Prepare everything you need the night before your commute. Gather your books, chargers, umbrella, food, etc. together so that you aren’t hunting for them in the morning.
Q: Quick feet are productive feet. Walking is good for your mental and physical health.
R: Read while you take the train or bus to campus.
S: Schedule your classes around the same time or even on two or three days a week. That way you’re not commuting Monday through Friday.
T: Time management is your best friend. If you arrive home early from school, don’t watch your favorite TV show. Instead, get some work done so that way you can enjoy your commute-free weekend.
U: Utilize your perks. At Roosevelt, students get a discounted CTA Ventra card which includes unlimited rides on the “L” each semester. Also, student parking discounts are everywhere.
V: Venture out of your comfort zone and take the long way home when you’re feeling the need for a change.
W: Winter season can be a drag when commuting, so invest in warm apparel to make the season bearable… it’ll be worth it.
X: Xenia is a Greek word that means “Guest Friendship,” in which people who are far from home show courtesy to others who are also far from home. Be nice to your fellow commuters. Tell them if you see that their bag is unzipped. Let them know if they drop something.
Y: Yield to cars. Even though pedestrians have the right of way, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Z: Zzzzz Get your rest, especially on a night before commuting.