Guidelines from an ODU Commuter

Commuting to Old Dominion University can otherwise defined as a death sentence. With Mario Andretti drivers, disheveled bumpy roads, and the dreaded parking garages, it makes the college commuter experience 10 times as stressful. As a second year student, I've picked up some extremely useful knowledge about the whole subject of commuting. Still not 100% brilliant at it, I successfully make it to class on time every day, but face several obstacles on the way; obstacles that move about 25 miles over the speed limit.

Here's my advice...

Guideline #1: ALWAYS leave early. There will inevitably be a traffic backup about every other mile once you've successfully made it into the heart of Norfolk. Or perhaps the good ole Berkley bridge will open about 15 minutes before class starts; we all know it takes much longer for that bridge to close before you can be on your way. Definitely leave early.

Guideline #2: REMEMBER to bring food. That whole freshman 15 thing didn't happen for me. I actually lost weight because I refused to spend boat loads of money on campus food--although I caved a few times for Panda Express. I basically lived off of granola bars and coffee for my first semester. Bring snacks, a lunch, a water bottle, all that jazz.

Guideline #3: SPEND the money on the garage parking pass. Perimeter parking is a disaster at best and still costs too much money to walk miles away from your class. When it gets bitterly blustery and cold outside, that parking garage on 41st street will start looking mighty fine.

Guideline #4: LOCATE where your classes are before your first day. Getting lost and not being able to find your classroom is exceedingly embarrassing incredible stressful--this has happened to me every semester in my college career thus far. I'm that geek that has to ask an administrator to show me where to go. Take a day and explore the campus before you plunge into classes.

Guidline #5: TRY to make friends. Sounds simple right? It's not so easy to make friends on a campus with over 24,000 students. My first year I made 1 friend I still talk to. As pathetic as that sounds, it's the bitter truth. If you have the time to join a student activities group, do it. Don't be a loner like me.

As grueling as commuting is, I'd much rather spend the $125.00 on a parking pass every semester and drive there everyday instead of spending over $20,000.00 to live on campus. But that's just me. Driving from Chesapeake to Norfolk everyday is a hassle, but it's a hassle that saves me a lot of money. I want to get out of college with the smallest amount of debt as possible. Commuting has served me well thus far, even though I fervently complain about it.