How I Built a Social Life as a Commuter
Before starting university, I was a bit nervous to be a commuter student. I knew there was a stigma that surrounds it, but I wanted to be open-minded to make sure that I made the most of my university experience. I asked my older sister how to make the most of my experience as a commuter student, and she gave me some great advice. Once I started school, I discovered some of my own tricks for balancing being a commuter student and maintaining a healthy social life. I’m here to share those tricks with you!
First, I always remind myself that school is my number one priority. I don’t stop myself from making plans but once I do, I make a promise to myself to complete most, if not all, of my work first. I highly recommend making a to-do list to keep up with what you have to complete. This allows me to have a fun time and not stress about school while I’m out enjoying myself.
Since I commute, it takes some time to get home, which means I need to be wary of coming home late. I try to hold myself accountable and stay out late only on weekends. This helps me to tackle my classes with a full night’s sleep and an engaged mindset. If I do come home late, I try to walk to the station with a friend or have somebody on call to be safe. Staying out late on weekends is much better than weekdays, especially since there are more night events held then!
I think it’s important to remind yourself that you don’t have to have a special dedicated outing in order to go out to see friends. You can always plan study sessions with them and go to the library (opens in new window) or a cafe to get some work done. For example, after my in-person lab sessions, I love going to a room at the SLC with my friends so we can spend time with each other while we finish some work. This way I can get my tasks done while also taking breaks to socialize with my friends!
I hope my tips and experiences can help you feel more comfortable and confident about balancing your social life as a commuter student. The biggest takeaway you should have from this is to have an open mind! University is a great place to meet new people, and with an open mind you’ll be able to find your community in no time. I hope your experience here is as great as mine has been so far.
“See” you soon!
- Nishka
