Any student commuters?

Published

Specializes in None.

I'm going to be commuting an hour and 15 minutes one way to school. It's about 72 miles or so from where we live. Is anyone else commuting like this? I've never commuted before. I'm not really sure what to do about lunch. Obviously packing my lunch is what I'm aiming for since I'm won't be working (thanks to hubby). What do you do for lunch? How about inclement weather? I also have about a 2 hour break inbetween classes, I'm thinking library or student lounge or something to do some studying and homework. I'm hoping that would lessen the amount of time I have to lock myself in our bedroom since I have a 5 and 2 year old. Any tips/suggestions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg/geriatrics.

Hi Kaychell!

I will be commuting 2hours to school!! Its about 146 miles literally from my driveway to the schools parking lot! You are not alone! I guess when the weather gets bad we'll have to get up extra, extra early to be on time! We have made it this far so can't let a little drive stop us now!

Good Luck!!

T:clown:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.

I'm commuting about an hour, and I have done this for work the last ten years, so it is nothing new to me. I also have a 2 hour break between classes, and I am definitely going to use it to study. Lunch AND dinner will be something prepared ahead of time and frozen-it will be thawed a bit by lunch and ready to microwave, and dinner will go in the fridge at work once I get there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.

I forgot to answer your question about the weather. I just always check the forecast a day ahead in winter and plan to leave very early if it looks like their might be a storm so I have plenty of time to drive carefully. It helps to have a Subaru.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Mine is just 20 minutes, but I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, on Lake Superior, in the mining country, so the winters are wicked and the roads hilly and icey.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, 60 mins one way and it is worth it. I don't want to stay in dorms and pay $15,000 or more...I can use that money for something else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Look at my user-name. . .lol. :)

I lived approximately 95 miles from the LVN/LPN program that I completed in 2005. My commute was 190 miles round-trip in notorious southern California traffic.

It gets even better. . . I lived approximately 225 miles from the RN program that I completed a few months ago, so my commute was 450 miles round-trip. However, the traffic was less aggressive because I was commuting from Texas to Oklahoma. It has all been worth it so far because I've earned the right to have that RN title behind my name.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg/geriatrics.

Wow! To The Commuter!!:yeah:

You give me hope!! My measly 146 miles is nothing compared to yours! Now I don't feel so stressed about the drive knowing that there are others out there doing the same!:up: Congrats to you on your RN! I hope to be there in 2yrs!

T:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.

Wow, I though my commute was long (about 45 minutes-hour depending on traffic).. I feel a little better now.

I am lucky because my program has dorms, and while I am NOT staying in them, if I know the weather is going to be bad I am allowed to rent one for the night for like $10... I live in PA, and if the winter is anything like it was last year, I might be doing that a couple times.

I am just scared that I'll do that, get snowed in, and theyll cancel class/clinical and I'll be stranded there for who knows how long! :eek: I guess I'll be able to get some studying done then! haha

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't commute far (only 20 mins - got into my school of choice), but I applied to a school that was 1.25 hours away. So, I did a lot of research, thinking that I might end up commuting that distance. Here are a few great tips I found:

- record lectures and listen to them in the car

- if you need a break from nursing, listen to books-on-tape

- keep a bag in your trunk with a spare set of clothes, toothbrush, shampoo, anything essential; just in case weather is too bad - you'll get to know your classmates real quick and I'm sure one of them wouldn't mind you crashing on their couch if you need to - it's better to crash on a couch than to risk an accident while driving home in a blizzard.

- take a cooler and pack your lunch/dinner in there with ice packs - if you can run out to your car between classes, great, and if not, grab your lunch out of the cooler and take it to class with you, at least the food will remain cold on your way to school.

- always pack a little extra food - you never know when you'll need it. You could get stuck behind a car accident, with the freeway backed up for miles. It's always nice to have a piece of fruit or something if you need it.

- I had a 3 hour break b/w classes a couple semesters ago. Instead of going home, I'd head to the library and camp out in a quiet corner. It's amazing how much studying you can get done b/w classes. I'd eat my lunch during that time as well, and use the computers to check my email and relax a bit before heading back to class.

That's all I have. Hopefully you find a couple of these tips helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

After commuting to school for quite some time, I learned that I could park my car about halfway at a park and ride lot and take the bus the rest of the way. I used that bus riding time to study or just to rest. It lessened my commute discomfort.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None.

- record lectures and listen to them in the car

- if you need a break from nursing, listen to books-on-tape

- keep a bag in your trunk with a spare set of clothes, toothbrush, shampoo, anything essential; just in case weather is too bad - you'll get to know your classmates real quick and I'm sure one of them wouldn't mind you crashing on their couch if you need to - it's better to crash on a couch than to risk an accident while driving home in a blizzard.

- take a cooler and pack your lunch/dinner in there with ice packs - if you can run out to your car between classes, great, and if not, grab your lunch out of the cooler and take it to class with you, at least the food will remain cold on your way to school.

- always pack a little extra food - you never know when you'll need it. You could get stuck behind a car accident, with the freeway backed up for miles. It's always nice to have a piece of fruit or something if you need it.

- I had a 3 hour break b/w classes a couple semesters ago. Instead of going home, I'd head to the library and camp out in a quiet corner. It's amazing how much studying you can get done b/w classes. I'd eat my lunch during that time as well, and use the computers to check my email and relax a bit before heading back to class.

That's all I have. Hopefully you find a couple of these tips helpful.

These are GREAT tips!!!! Good idea about the extra clothes! I bought a recorder for the lectures with the commute in mind, it will probably help quite a bit, relistening to them! Thanks so much for posting these!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion