Commuter Connections
Do you have a commuter student getting ready for the academic year? Commuting to campus brings with it unique challenges. Commuters juggle a great deal, including making a place for themselves academically and socially on campus and handling outside commitments such as family or work.
You can help your commuter student find his place this year by:
- Encouraging him to get involved on campus. Many commuter students just go to class and leave, without checking out campus activities or events. No one says that commuter students can't take advantage of these aspects of the campus community too.
- Allowing him some flexibility with his schedule. Things may come up. He may get invited to go with friends to the campus dining hall or to stay after class with a study group. Try not to worry if you don't see a lot of your student. Making campus connections is important.
- Considering adapting household rules. If your student lives at home, consider the possibility of adapting curfew, chore, visitor and meal rules so your student has more freedom.
- Providing quiet, uninterrupted time for studying. College is much more demanding than high school. Make sure your student has a comfortable and quiet place to study where he won't be interrupted. He may need to study a couple of hours a night.