Commuter student experience at UC
Aradana Nair shares her advice for commuting Bearcat students
The traditional college experience often involves moving away from home and living in a dorm, but for some students, like Aradana Nair, the reality is different — they live at home and commute to their university.
Nair, a third-year computer science student at the University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering and Applied Science, shares her experience as a commuter student, how she stays connected on campus, and her advice for other students interested in commuting.
Aradana Nair
Computer Science '27
Computer Science student, College of Engineering and Applied Science Ambassador
Why I decided to commute
I only live thirty minutes away from UC's campus, so commuting was something that was always in the back of my mind. I lived in a residence hall my first year and didn't feel like it was the best fit for me. I started commuting my second year and have never looked back! The added stress of paying rent and finding a place to stay has been eliminated from my life and I save a lot of money in the long run.
Things I wish I knew before commuting
Aradana Nair is a commuter student at the University of Cincinnati
Prior to commuting, I wish I knew that it could be difficult to schedule classes while factoring in traffic.
Taking travel time into account is important to ensure you are arriving to class on time every day. I have found that letting my professors know that I am a commuting student at the start of the semester is beneficial. In case there is an accident on the freeway or something, they understand why I might be running a few minutes late.
It's also worth investing in a good parking spot.
As a CEAS student, most of my classes are in Baldwin Hall, so I prefer parking in Woodside Garage next to Langsam Library. I would highly suggest any commuter students invest in a spot that is relatively close to their classes so that their walk is a short one.
How I stay connected on campus as a commuter student
It's very important to be involved on campus if you feel a sense of disconnect.
My biggest advice would be to join clubs that genuinely spark your interest. I am a member of the CEAS Ambassadors which I have loved being a part of. Whatever your group may be, it is important to find a community that interests you.
I personally don't find it difficult to stay connected. My main piece of advice is to have something you're involved in outside of classes.
I have developed a lot of my good friends from activities and organizations outside of the classroom. This helps match similar interests and develop meaningful friendships.
Other things about commuting
If I have time between classes that is too short to go home, my first priority is to do homework or work on a project during those breaks. If I am caught up on my assignments, I typically go to the rec center and workout.
Even though I commute, most of my classes are in-person. A lot of my core engineering classes are only offered in-person, so I am on campus often. However, there have been times where a breadth of knowledge class has been hard to squeeze into my schedule. In cases like that, it can be beneficial to take online classes to supplement in-person classes.
How much do I spend on gas per semester?
For my commute, I spend roughly $738 per semester on gas. This is reasonable for me as I have friends who pay around that amount for one month of rent.
Pros and cons of commuting
For me, the pros outweigh the cons. Some of the pros include saving money. I save around $1,200 each semester that I commute. I have found that it also allows me to have a more flexible schedule. Lastly, when I am on co-op in Cleveland, I like to spend my time at home when I am in Cincinnati. The con I have noticed is traffic. There are times when it isn't bad; however, it definitely needs to be factored in when scheduling classes.
Featured image at top: University of Cincinnati's main street.
Are you a commuter student?
Check out resources and involvement opportunities for commuter students from UC Student Affairs.
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