Introduction
While dourming on a college campus may be a dream for many students, it is not always possible or even desirable. Dorming allows freedom and responsibility that many students have probably never faced throughout their school life. The ease of simply waking up, getting ready and heading straight to class is enticing to young people. Sometimes, however, dorming may not be possible due to financial reasons, family responsibilities or even proximity to campus. Often commuting can save a student several thousand dollars which they would have otherwise spent on room and board. Whatever your reasons for living at home, commuting can still give you the opportunity to experience the same level of independence that you would have in the dorm, but you have a support system close by to help you better improve those independence skills. This way, when the time finally comes for you to dorm or live in your own place, your independence skills have already flourished. Keep in mind that you are the one to make your support system work. You should be the one dictating when and how you need help improving your independence skills. They are what you make of them. If you use that trusted circle or network to help you, they will be more willing to provide you honest feedback. Depending on those networks too much, however, can hinder your ability to be independent later. Here are some ways that you can be independent while commuting to help you prepare for life after academics:
Stay on top of your own academics and college related tasks
In high school, you have teachers and parents reminding you of your upcoming tests, homework and other academic related tasks. Now it is your turn to keep track of your own academic, professional and personal tasks. Use a calendar/reminder system to help you stay on top of due dates. Check your college website for any announcements. Check your own grades. Contact your professors yourself. Try to take care of your financial aid or administration related tasks at college independently. If you have any difficulty with any of these tasks, you have a network to help you in an emergency. As the stress of the semester increases, you may feel tempted to fall back into the habit of relying on others for such needs. However, if you are already doing these tasks independently, you are well on your way to future success.
Attend social events
Whether you live on campus or at home, it is always important to participate in social activities. These events can be anything from a community event such as a township parade to a college club or workshop. Socializing will give you a chance to meet new people, boost your confidence and improve your o&M skills. Often, simply attending those events helps you make connections that will be the most helpful in your future. This will also prepare you to have the confidence to face groups of people or participate in events that you might be required to do for your employment one day.
Complete or help with house chores
Knowing how to clean, do laundry, cook, and take care of small house-related tasks such as organizing your room, making your bed, and taking out the trash will help you greatly in the long run. When you move into a new place, you will not have someone to clean for you unless you hire a costly cleaning service. It is better to learn those tasks now when you have the time and the nearby support. Some commuters’ families immediately support their new status as independent contributers to their household. Others may feel anxious about allowing you to take on household responsibilities, worrying that you could get hurt or thinking it will take longer to accomplish everything when you take on these chores. You may need to explain to your family how important it is to become a more independent person as you move into adulthood. In any situation, think about what kind of support will help you best in the long term.
Find and use your transportation options
When you begin college, you may need to find transportation options such as train, paratransit, a taxi or ride sharing service or a combination of these. It is helpful to have more than one option available in case of extreme weather emergencies or transit closures. Make use of the time you have while being close to your trusted networks to become more comfortable with different modes of transportation. You can also request O&M services to help you learn to navigate a train station, apply for a transportation system such as paratransit, or get you set up with a ride sharing app. If you share a ride with family members or friends, be sure to offer to pay for gas if you are able to.
Conclusion
Commuting can allow you the same independence that you would have if you were dorming. The only difference is that your support system is nearby and you can use them to help you. It is wise to use that time to help you learn or perfect skills that will be useful in the long term. All these skills are not only useful in a college setting, but they are crucial to succeed in the workplace and your first independent home.