THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508180040
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: SPECIAL BACK-TO-COLLEGE REPORT
SOURCE: BY VALERIE CARINO, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
NATISHA GLANTON, 20, a rising junior at Norfolk State University, can think of few positive things about commuting to college.
There's the high cost of parking. The lack of parking spaces. The inconvenience of getting up two hours before class. And always, the traffic.
``I hate it,'' NaTisha said. ``There's always some guy with a jalopy who breaks down in the tunnel just before you have to get to class.'' Some days she spends 45 minutes in traffic.
But the hassle of gridlock is only a part of the dissatisfaction many commuting students feel. Many complain that they're missing out on the ``total college experience,'' from the all-night dorm parties to living with a roommate - experiences that make college, well, college.
NaTisha commutes to NSU every fall semester and lives on campus every spring. She overwhelmingly prefers the latter. So does Jowie Legaspi, 21, a rising junior at Old Dominion University. Jowie, who lived in Naples, Italy, during his freshman year as part of the University of Maryland's study abroad program, doesn't mind commuting so much. But he liked the independence of being away from home.
``Throughout high school, you're looking forward to college, a different atmosphere, spending time alone,'' Jowie said. ``But commuting doesn't allow you to do that because you're staying at home. It's like you're attending high school all over again.''
NaTasha Parker, 19, a rising sophomore at Virginia Wesleyan College, describes commuting to school as dull routine.
``You feel like you're going to work instead of going to school,'' NaTasha says. `You have to get up and get in your car and drive somewhere you don't feel like going.''
Jeannette Orciga, 19, a rising sophomore at Old Dominion University shares the same attitude: ``I'm not into ODU. I just go there to get my credits.''
Jeannette usually leaves campus immediately after her classes. She doesn't get involved in campus activities. She says she's just not interested.
Commuters tend to feel isolated from other students, says Rosita Catahan, 20, who drives to the Virginia Beach campus of Tidewater Community College every day. Many commuters have to budget their time among going to school, studying and working a part- or full-time job. They usually don't take the initiative to join clubs, she says.
But Austin Burgess, 20, a rising junior at Old Dominion University, says only you can make college a rewarding experience.
``It's your attitude that determines whether you're going to excel at school or do poorly,'' Austin says.
So do commuting students really have it all that bad? Not necessarily. Some advantages of staying local: 1)It's cheaper. 2)You get to be close to home. 3)There aren't as many distractions, so you're focused on studying.
Here are some other ways commuting students can enhance their college experience:
Try not to skip classes. The temptation is always there, especially for those who live away from campus.
Give yourself enough time to make class on time. Professors don't tape their lectures.
Attend campus activities: sports events, club meetings, speeches, poetry readings. You'll meet people with school spirit and get some yourself.
Take extra good care of your car. Get the oil changed every 3,000 miles and check the air pressure in your tires regularly.
Carpool. It saves money.
Know alternate routes to school.
If you have the money, move to a place close to campus. Among other benefits, you can sleep in later.
Study. Study. Study. Remember what you're going to school for. ILLUSTRATION: JANET SHAUGHNESSY/Staff
by CNB