Whether you want to get school work done, catch up with friends and family, or just need to take a breather after a long day, here are some tips for making the most of your commute:
Jenay Lamy, student success coordinator and advisor to the Commuter Student Association at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, says, “Think of commuting not as something that hampers your experience, but as something that enhances it.”
If you’re behind the wheel, listen to audio books or replay a recorded class lecture. If you’re riding a train or a bus, look over your notes and make new ones as you go. Brielle M., a student at the University of Maryland in College Park, says, “It makes the trip seem shorter.”
Claire H., a student at Montgomery College in Montgomery County, Maryland, suggests, “Driving alone is a great time to do the ‘listen and repeat’ parts of a foreign-language class. You can repeat as many times as you like without driving anyone crazy!”
Almost 50 percent of the respondents to a recent Student Health 101 survey said they talk to their friends or family during their commute. Call (use a headset if you’re driving) or plan to travel together. Carpooling gives you an opportunity to catch up with people. Brielle says, “I touch base with family. I also make appointments or follow up with people on the phone.”
If you’re taking public transportation, look over your social-media feeds. Checking out photos from the preceding weekend will make your Monday morning a little more pleasant.
While a commute might seem too stressful for chilling out, it’s actually a great opportunity to get some “me time.” Breanna C., a graduate student at Seattle Pacific University in Washington, drives 35 minutes to school. “I listen to music and try to plan out my day. I’m thinking about listening to books on tape, too,” she says.
Rich S., a doctoral resident at the University of Montana in Missoula, gets charged for the day while driving himself to school. “I relax and listen to music,” he explains.
A train or a bus can also be the perfect place for relaxation. How about meditating or doing breathing exercises while you’re on the go? Just close your eyes and breathe deeply—in through your nose and out through your mouth—counting from one to five with every breath. This will help you unwind so that you’re ready for your day or feeling peaceful as you close it out.
Eleven percent of students responding to the Student Health 101 survey said they even sleep through their commute. Just make sure you keep your belongings close and set an alarm for when the train or bus is pulling into your station.
Instead of feeling like you’re idle during your commute, make it one of the most productive and enjoyable parts of your day.
Rosemarie is studying communications at Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey.
A tape recorder is one way to remember a lecture, but many of the devices you already carry—a phone, tablet, or laptop—can be used in the same way. For sophisticated recording, browse for apps online and download one easily.
Of course, make sure your professor is on board with being recorded. Once you get the green light, you can set your recording device at the front of your desk and press go.
If you make the recording on a phone or tablet with MP3 capability, or on an MP3 player, you’re set as soon as you put in headphones. You can also burn the recording to a CD.
Write a grocery or to-do list.
This way you’re ready to take on your tasks when you arrive at your destination.
Make plans for the weekend.
Thinking of what you can do with friends or family will put you in a good mood by the time you get where you’re going.
Take advantage of Wi-Fi on public transit.
Browse the Web or review course slides directly from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Listen to, or read, the news.
Keep up-to-date on what’s happening around you. This is also a great time to listen to podcasts and programs you’ve missed.
Look up activities.
Look into what’s happening at your school or in your community. For example, when will your niece’s play be put on?
