Going to a school in New York City, you’ll find that a majority of students commute to school every single day. Between subway and bus delays, general traffic, and the dreaded rain on too narrow of a sidewalk, commuting can often be unpredictable. While I may not have a long commute, I have a few tips and tricks to help your day go by a little smoother.
- Show up early. While it’s easier said than done, try your best to take the earlier train, even if it is 10 minutes, just to ensure that you make it to class on time. While this may be difficult for students commuting from Long Island, if you are within the city, this is definitely a helpful tip! Nothing is worse than the conductor saying “We are being held momentarily. Thank you for your patience.”
- Bring your own food. Commuting can be EXPENSIVE. The unlimited monthly metrocards and passes aren’t cheap, so there’s no reason why you should have to spend $15 on a salad. If you bring your own food, it will save you time, energy, and money.
- Get a locker. Talk to your department head to see if your major offers lockers for commuters. For Art and Design students, you especially want to consider this because you typically have a lot of supplies. It will also be a huge lifesaver in the winter when you don’t want to carry around your big puffy coat.
- Bring a phone charger. This is most likely a staple in anyone’s daily life, but if you have a long commute, your battery may already be at a low percentage by the time you get to school. I highly recommend having a portable charger as well just in case there isn’t an accessible outlet.
- Carry the essentials. From gum to chapstick and band-aids, to hand sanitizer and deodorant, you’ll never know when you’ll need your emergency stash, especially once you get off the train.
- Wear comfortable shoes…or bring a spare. Depending on your commute and where you get let off, you may still have to walk a ways to get to campus. Wearing uncomfortable shoes may result in serious blisters upon arrival (another reason to always have bandaids).
Best of luck commuting!
Ashley