I think we can all agree that commuting isn’t fun. Sure, it’s not the worst thing in the world, but when you wake up extra early for that 9 am class just to get on a packed bus in which you gotta stand for more than 45 minutes whilst juggling the art of staying upright/dodging people’s gigantic backpacks and STILL end up being 5 minutes late, it can really suck.

I could go on and on about the pitfalls of being a commuter but I’m gonna look at the bright side here. Yes, living on campus might be more convenient, but believe me when I say that not living on residence doesn’t take away from your university experience. At the end of the day, we all go to the same school, have access to the same resources, and we are all part of one big family that supports and looks after one another.

It’s really up to the individual on how much effort they are willing to put in making their university experience a memorable one. Personally, I’m not satisfied in merely just going to class and going straight home. I want to be able to look back and say that my university experience was fulfilling because I made it so by getting involved in clubs and cherishing the friendships that I’ve made along the way.

I’ve compiled a short list of some tips on how to feel at home on campus as a commuter student:

  1. Get involved. Some of my favourite memories were the ones that I did outside of class (Frosh week). Wherever your interests lie, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect club for you at Glendon! Last year, I joined the Doctor Who Club for all you Whovians out there and we also have a Harry Potter Club! Interested in student council? Playing a sport? Writing for Pro-Tem, our bilingual newspaper? Have an idea for a new club? You can totally take initiative and start your own! These are just a few of the many ways that you can explore your interests and get yourself immersed in the Glendon community!
  2. Spend more time on campus. Looking to wind down after class? We have the Breezeway, a place to just relax, chat with students, or do your homework. Whatever floats your boat. There’s also Lunik, a cute little cafe in the Manor’s basement, where you can study while enjoying a cup of pay-what-you-can-coffee alongside a wide array of food choices (they have gluten-free and vegan options too!). Speaking of studying, why not do your readings at the Frost Library? We can all appreciate a bit of quiet time to ourselves. Luckily, we’re blessed with a beautiful campus that has plenty of green space so I don’t think you’ll find it hard to hang out here at all 🙂
  3. Go to campus events. From pub nights, to fashion shows, theatre performances, formal nights and many more, there’s always a social event to look forward to! This can be a fun way to hang out with your friends outside of class. I know that we all come from different places and sometimes it can be hard to coordinate meet-ups because of schedule conflicts and whatnot…so there you go, an event that you and your friends can plan for! Keep an eye out for announcements on your Facebook graduating class group throughout the year. You’ll never run out of things to do 🙂
  4. Make friends! I’m a firm believer that home is not a place, it’s a feeling (Why am I so corny?). Making connections and life-long friendships with your fellow Glendonites really does make a difference. You don’t need to be on campus all the time to feel our community’s school spirit, you just have to know that there are people out there to care for you and love you.

My short list is by no means comprehensive but I do feel that these 4 tips are simple things that we all can do! What do you do to feel at home on campus? I’d love to hear from you!