Being a commuter can pose many different challenges. Two of them is being seen and heard. Sometimes when you are not a part of the majority it can be hard to feel like you are getting the recognition you deserve or an outlet to express your feelings.
“Can I get an Amen up in here!”-RuPaul
For example, even if there are plenty of activities and clubs for everyone to participate in, it can be hard for some commuters to feel like they belong. In my personal experience, I find most activities to be late at night. By then I’m already home and don’t feel the need to go back out, drive to school, and hope I know someone there that I can hang out with at that given event. It’s just not worth it to me which can be frustrating. When do they ever consider the commuters, besides the fact that these events are open to all?
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of concerns that we as commuters want to speak about because changes or things that happen on campus can affect us too. But how can we? Where do we go to express our concerns, feelings, or maybe a new club idea?
Many campuses have what is called Commuter Services. Luckily for me my campus has one. This is where commuters are the priority; where questions and concerns about commuting, commuter life or just college in general are heard and taken into account.
This is the group of people that try to put our best interests first. They are the ones that want to make our college experience great! They realize commuting can be a struggle not only in the social aspect for example, but getting our voices heard too.
At my school, Commuter Services tends to do a lot of activities such a free meals or fun little events. Just last week, there was a Valentine’s Day Candy event and today we could get a free meal where we could socialize with other commuters. There are even workshops to help us thrive in college, such as meal prepping or eating on a budget. All of these events are also great opportunities to express your concerns or questions.
Another great tool that I recently saw implemented was the use of a commuter survey. This allowed commuters to not only get a chance to win some school cash (HOLD UP! Cash! SIGN ME UP!) but also have their voices heard. No one can really help you unless you speak up. And as being a minority group in a school setting, this is a great way to make changes that we need. This is our stage to finally voice our opinions. This is where you can hear me!
So to all of you who feel like no one cares about us, that no one has our best interest, that no one wants to hear what we have to say, maybe look into your school directory and find Commuter Services. Talk to them, get to know them, and express your concerns. This may be a great opportunity to tell them ideas for making a college commuter experience worth wile. And if you’re not sure what needs to be done, but feel like you need some changes, maybe ask them about creating a survey. Get the help from your fellow commuters to voice their opinions and concerns. There are plenty of surveys out there that can help hone down what should be taken care of to make a college commuter experience the best it can be. And if there isn’t a survey that fits your school best, you can always create one. Surveymonkey.com is a great place to create a survey that fits your needs.
I know feeling left out or not being heard can be a struggle, but maybe you’re not as alone as you think you are. Maybe all you need to do is a bit of searching and you will find the community and platform that you were meant to be a part of all this time. Don’t be shy, go out there and get what you deserve.
On a lighter note please enjoy this #relatable #me #collegelife post! 🙂
Committing to the Commute 