9 Tips for Commuter College Students

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Most high school seniors have heard the advice before: live at home during your college years, and you could save a bundle on your education. And yet, few students find this an easy choice to make. That’s because money isn’t the only thing at stake when you choose to live at home or off-campus. Many first-year college students worry about shortcutting the college experience, feeling isolated, or missing out on campus culture.

That said, the financials are still pretty compelling. While costs vary state-by-state, in California, for example, students living at home spent roughly $1,397 per academic year. That’s significantly less than most folks spend on campus. On-campus room and board at the University of Colorado – Boulder, for example, costs more than $16,000 per year. And the average on-campus student at Princeton pays around $20,000 annually for a meal plan and a dorm room. Skip out on those exorbitant costs, and you could slash your student loan burden by tens of thousands of dollars.

The other good news? Commuting to college doesn’t have to be a source of isolation. You may have to work harder than the average student to establish your community, but it’s definitely possible to build a rich, expansive college life as a commuter. Here are nine ways to do it right.

1. Take Advantage of Commuter Amenities

According to a recent survey, 62% of students reported living off-campus in 2023, either staying with family members, with roommates, or alone. That percentage tends to be even higher at public colleges, state universities, and community colleges (private school students are more likely to live on campus). It also tends to be higher for students in their second year of school and beyond. That may be because some colleges require students to live in dorms during their freshman year.

As more students forgo dorm life, colleges and universities work hard to help commuter students become part of the campus. Typically, they’ll offer special amenities for students who live off-campus. If you want to feel more like part of the community, plan on taking advantage of those perks.

Many schools offer commuter lounges, which give commuter college students a place to relax, study, and connect with other commuters before and after class. For example, Elizabethtown College has The Commuter House, a comfortable space that also offers places to store personal belongings, or stash a packed lunch.

At West Chester University, the Commuter Center has television and Netflix, a food prep area, and a nap area complete with beanbags. Spending time in these centers between classes can help you meet and engage with other students.

2. Join Clubs and Organizations

Universities tend to have dozens or even hundreds of clubs, intramural sports, and student organizations. Whether you want to meet fellow gamers, play flag football, or run for student council, these are great ways to connect with other students and become part of the community.

An easy way to find groups at your school is to go on the college’s website and look for a section called “campus life.” Most colleges will have a whole section dedicated to the various organizations, including information on how to join and when those groups meet.

But this isn’t the only way to find clubs and organizations worth joining. You can also…

1. Attend club fairs or orientation events: Many colleges organize club fairs or orientation events where you can interact with representatives from different groups. This gives you an opportunity to learn more about their activities and join the organizations that interest you most.

2. Check bulletin boards and campus announcements: Keep an eye out for flyers and advertisements posted on bulletin boards or online platforms. These are a great source of information about club meetings, events, and recruitment activities.

3. Talk to fellow students: Reach out to other students, especially those who share your interests or major, and ask about the clubs and organizations they’re involved in. They may be able to recommend relevant groups for you to join.

4. Use social media: Follow your college’s official social media accounts or join student group pages on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. These channels often share information about clubs, organizations, and events.

Joining clubs and organizations is a great way to meet new people, pursue your interests, and get involved in campus life as a commuter student. Don’t be afraid to explore different options and new experiences.

3. Make the best of your commute

With a little creativity, you can turn a long commute into valuable study time. If you take public transportation to school, use the downtime to get homework done, review class notes, or knock out reading assignments. If you drive to and from school, listen to an online study guide. You can also make your own: use your phone’s voice memo app to record the audio of your lectures during class. Then, play them back to yourself on the drive home to review.

4. Think outside the campus

You don’t have to live on a college campus to make new friends or have a social life. Look for class-specific social media groups or local meetups for college students who share your interests. If you live relatively far from your campus — but not too far from others — you may want to join local commuter groups for neighboring schools. Study clubs, professional organizations, climbing gyms, and community sports teams can also be great places to find like-minded people your age. And if you plan to work while you’re in school, consider finding a part-time job that has you working with other college students. Working with people your age can be a great way to build friendships and routine, even if you live off-campus.

5. Make plans for the evening and weekend

The evenings and weekends are when most students who live on campus talk, hang out, and make plans with one another. If you’re only on-campus for classes, you’ll miss out on a big part of the college experience.

Make plans to meet friends after dinner and on weekends. Many schools hold events throughout the year, such as performances by comedians, dances, or theater productions. These shows are a great opportunity to be on-campus alongside your classmates.

6. Develop a realistic schedule

Commuters have time constraints that folks in on-campus housing don’t have to worry about. Keep that in mind when you’re designing your schedule. It may be prudent to avoid 8:00 AM lectures and evening recitations. On-campus students can simply roll into or out of bed to make it to these classes. But you may need to give yourself more time to ease into your morning and get homework done at night.

If you can, also try to pack your classes into just two or three days per week to limit the number of days you have to travel. That can limit the time you spend commuting as well as your transportation costs: According to College Board data, some commuter students spend up to $1,930 per year on transportation alone. If that’s more than your budget can handle — even with smart scheduling — remember that you can use your student loan money to offset these costs. Student loans are designed to cover any education-related expenses, including gas, car insurance, train tickets, or a bus pass.

7. Allow yourself extra time on campus

As a commuter student, you do have some unique challenges. If you’re tired or stressed, it may be tempting to finish your class and go right home, but in the long term, that can cause you to feel more disconnected from the campus.

Instead of just showing up for classes, come up with a schedule that allows you to spend extra time on-campus. After you finish class, you might spend time with friends in the dining hall. Or, you could meet with a study group in the library, or a campus organization you joined. Spending a few hours every day on-campus — outside of the classroom — will ensure you’re a part of the larger community.

8. Connect with fellow commuter students

On-campus students probably won’t understand the unique challenges that you face. So if you can, try and find a supportive group of commuter students that understand what you’re going through.

Some schools offer special groups and events for commuter students while others may require a little more searching  on your part. But in the end, it will be worth it.

Meeting other commuter students can not only give you a built-in social network, but also help you tackle challenges. For example, you could arrange carpools, study together off-campus, and keep each other updated about on-campus events.

9. Embrace technology

In the wake of the pandemic, much of the working world adapted to accommodate the remote lifestyle. The education world did, too. It’s now easier than ever for commuter students to connect with friends, work on group projects, and catch up with professors remotely. Consider setting up a video call for your study group, or rely on classroom portals and message boards to talk shop with fellow students.

Get a free rate check from Earnest

Before you decide to live off-campus, be sure to consider the pros and cons of commuting. It may take more effort to build community, and transportation time can add up. However, if you’re intentional about managing your time and building a social life, living off-campus can be worth it. By eschewing pricey residence halls and meal plans, you could save money to the tune of thousands of dollars per year. That’s cash you won’t have to take out in student loans.

But if you still need help paying for your tuition and other fees, taking out private student loans¹ can help you fill the gap so you can complete the semester. Earnest offers low rates, no fees, a nine-month grace period², and the ability to skip a payment once a year³. Want to see what you could be eligible for? Get a rate check from Earnest. It’s fast, free, and won’t affect your credit score.

The opinions expressed by the interview subjects are not necessarily those of Earnest.

This blog post provides personal finance educational information, and it is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.

* Earnest private student loans are funded by FinWise Bank, Member FDIC, or One American Bank, member FDIC

¹ Before applying for private student loans, it’s best to maximize your other sources of financial aid first. It’s recommended to use a 3-step approach to assembling the funds you need: 1) Look for funds you don’t have to pay back, like scholarships, grant, and work-study opportunities. 2) Next, fill out a FAFSA(R) form to apply for federal student loans. Federal Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, excluding PLUS Loan for Parents and PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students which require a credit check and a credit worthy endorser if the parent or graduate or professional student has adverse credit, do not require a credit check or cosigner, and offer various protections if your struggling with your payments. 3) Finally, consider a private student loan to cover any difference between your total cost of attendance and the amount not covered in steps 1 and 2. For more information, visit the Department of Education website at https://studentaid.gov/.

² Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.

³ Earnest clients may skip a payment through a one, one-month forbearance during a 12 month period. Your first request to skip a pay can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time full principal and interest payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Any unpaid accrued interest may capitalize (added to the principal balance) at the end of the forbearance period by adding unpaid accrued interest to the outstanding principal as permitted by law and the terms of the loan agreement.