The Pros and Cons of Being a Regent Commuter

Commuting. Some days it’s awesome – other days not so much.  Whether you just switched this semester from on-campus housing to living in the great wide yonder (like me!), or you are a veteran commuter, you may have found that there are many ups and downs associated with our way of life.

The Pros

• Your whole life doesn’t exist within the acreage of school. Living off campus actually forces you to make connections outside of campus. Community takes on a larger meaning, which can often be a good thing.
• Living accommodations are often less expensive, and it can quickly become a dream-come-true if you get your best friends to live with you. Handpicked housemates are definitely a big bonus if you find yourself renting.
• It can feel easier to get away from the busyness of campus and to feel like you have your own space – to invite others into… or not. Need to introvert? Go right ahead. There won’t be someone knocking on your door every ten minutes.
• You don’t have to fight over laundry machines. That’s right. No more swiping cards, worrying about losing your card, or waiting until some ungodly hour so you can wash that mountain of clothing in peace.
• Candles. Enough said.

The Cons

• Lord help us on those morning drives to an 8:00 a.m. class when it takes twenty-five minutes just to traverse three miles. And where is that good old shuttle when your car stops working?
• There isn’t a superhuman RA or any amazing, caring Life Group leaders literally right around the corner to help you with things like the unexplained gushing of tears, broken window blinds, annoying roommates, or for when you’re in need of a vacuum cleaner… or a batch of cookies.
• We can often feel very out of the loop with what’s happening on campus – or even worse… left out. To be involved, and stay involved, requires a lot of extra work and diligence.

Staying Connected

So, what are some ways commuters can actually stay connected to campus life while not living right in the middle of the action?

• Actually going to campus events is a good place to start. Be aware of the events calendar and make it a priority to attend at least a few!
• Join a student organization! There are groups for all interests, from photography to outdoor-adventuring to swing dancing. You can find a list of student orgs here, but keep an eye out for flyers when you’re on-campus. You never know what you might find.
• Attend Life Group! If you didn’t know, Regent has commuter Life Groups! The women’s Life Group meets Monday and Tuesday nights from 9:00-10:00 p.m. in the Upper Room of the Chapel, while the guys meet every Tuesday night from 9:00-10:00 p.m. in the Chapel.
• Stay tuned with Commuter Hall. Not only do you get emails detailing all the happenings, they plan special events just for commuter students! You can even join the Commuter Committee to help plan the events and provide feedback on how to make Regent commuter life more impactful. For more information, you can email commuterhall@mail.regent.edu.

Emily Boulter is a staff writer for the Daily Runner.