Commuting 101
Hey fellow commuters! As we get into another year of driving back and forth, it’s important to have a few tips and tricks from surviving the weather to making it on time for class and saving money. Here are the few insights I’ve gathered after commuting a half an hour to and from Bridgewater every day for the past three years.
First of all, the hard truths. Don’t take an 8:00 AM class if you’re not up at 8:00 AM. I know it feels like after getting out of high school that you’ll have no trouble making it in, but in college, it gets rough. You’ll want to sleep in or take a day off and skip, which is totally valid but will totally get you into the habit of slacking. So, do yourself a favor from the beginning and choose a class after 9:30 AM or even 10:00 AM. You’ll thank yourself later.
The parking lots tend to get full quickly as well, so when you come can determine whether or not you get a spot. BSU’s Student Portal offers a map showing which lots are full or not, but if you want an estimate on times, Spring Street Lot is usually full by 9:00 or 9:30 AM, then empties more after 12:00 PM. Hooper Street Lot is similar but usually has spots in the back, unless it’s the beginning of the week. The garage is always open, but the elevator is a tiny bit sketchy, so unless you like stairs, I would park in the open lots. The teacher lots typically open after 3:30 PM to the public, but that could change.
Secondly, prepare for the worst. It doesn’t usually happen, but getting stuck in rain, snow, high winds, and more will worry your parents and cause you stress. Before school even starts, go ahead and store an umbrella, a blanket, an extra charger or two, and anything else you might need for any worst case scenarios. Think of it as an emergency camp bag. Especially if you like keeping clean and having a routine, pack some extra wipes, deodorant, perfume, or makeup for that last-minute interview you only have five minutes to prep for in your car.
Always—and I mean always—check your oil, gas, headlights, and any other car maintenance. You can’t commute in a dead car, so make sure you take good care of it. Pay attention to those lights on your dashboard, and if something pops up, ask someone sooner rather than later what to do.
