Program-Specific Info / Q's How far are you willing to commute to school

[Makingmoves2014]

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I know I know I know....I post a lot on here but I LOVE to hear other people feedback and advice. My question is how far are you willing to commute to a program? It seems like when I try to do something there is always something that is in my way......... Would you commute everyday for a program. The drive is about 1 hour. It's Monday through Thursday at different times. Financial aid will cover most of this program. There is another program that is 160 miles away and I only have to go to school Tuesdays and Thursdays however I have to pay out of pocket for this program. Any advice please would help. It's OTA program. After I finish I want to do a bridge program...

 

[lcs2074]

Right now I commute an hour to my job as a Rehab Aide Mon-Thurs, and by chance it is across the street from the OT school I will be attending starting this fall. An hour commute can certainly be a pain, particularly in bad weather, but to me, it is worth it for the amount I am saving on housing and because I love my job and am determined to be an OT. Just my two cents. 🙂 Also I know plenty of other people who have commuted an hour or more for a job or OT school. It is doable.

 

[Makingmoves2014]

Right now I commute an hour to my job as a Rehab Aide Mon-Thurs, and by chance it is across the street from the OT school I will be attending starting this fall. An hour commute can certainly be a pain, particularly in bad weather, but to me, it is worth it for the amount I am saving on housing and because I love my job and am determined to be an OT. Just my two cents. 🙂 Also I know plenty of other people who have commuted an hour or more for a job or OT school. It is doable.

OK! Thank you!! I was just wondering. I just don't want to work at a daycare for the rest of my life. I believe I'm settling........I can't handle it any longer..........Thanks!!

 

[OTprospect]

I would probably be willing to commute 40 minutes to about an hour 🙂

 

[mgeagle]

I know I know I know....I post a lot on here but I LOVE to hear other people feedback and advice. My question is how far are you willing to commute to a program? It seems like when I try to do something there is always something that is in my way......... Would you commute everyday for a program. The drive is about 1 hour. It's Monday through Thursday at different times. Financial aid will cover most of this program. There is another program that is 160 miles away and I only have to go to school Tuesdays and Thursdays however I have to pay out of pocket for this program. Any advice please would help. It's OTA program. After I finish I want to do a bridge program...

I LOVE how you post a lot of new threads with questions on here because I read people's answers and I learn a lot as well so don't stop posting new threads asking questions just because you do it a lot, if you have a question you should ask it. Closed mouths don't get fed lol. My momma used to drive an hour to work and my older brother use to drive an hour for school at a particular university. Both situations they were able to handle it for 3-5 years and then moved on to something closer. I feel that if its done for 3-5 years its not too bad but I can see where it can get old. Take into account the time of day you would be willing to leave to and from the place as well because that could make heaps of a difference because of how much traffic will be on the road at set times. I have a buddy who has an hour commute but he is by no means bother by it because when he leaves for work not many folks on the road and when he comes back home not many folks on the road lol.

 

[CurlyHairedGirl]

The job I quit in order to pursue an OT career had a commute ranging from 40 to 90 minutes, depending on what time of day I left and traffic accidents. I was hesitant to apply to a school that was about 3 miles further away (through downtown) than my old job. That school was also pretty expensive.

Long commutes can be more bearable if you can find something amusing or useful to do while driving. Could you tape record your lectures and listen to them while driving back? If you have a fairly recent iPhone, you can get Siri to read your Kindle books aloud. That's how I survived the first 8 hours of a recent drive for a grad school interview.

Is there a chance that at some point (after an all-nighter?) you would be so tired that you wouldn't be able to safely drive there and back? During times when I've had a bad commute I've sometimes started falling asleep at the wheel. One time I pulled over into a residential neighborhood and took an hour long nap.

 

[c2902]

I only commute one day a week to school, because I am in a hybrid program, but it's a 70 mile drive in one direction, which takes about an hour and 20 minutes in the morning, and a little bit more on the way home. For two years of coursework (since my fieldwork II sites won't be out near campus), it's doable.

 

[bebob]

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[ExceptionalSea]

i personally hate driving and cannot wait to move to school and be able to walk or bike to class. i understand all the financial/logical aspects of staying at home and commuting to school, or if you are older staying where you have settled and commuting but for me...KILL ME. lol

even in the future when i get a job i plan on living as close to work as possible. less commute time = more me time! if i had to though i personally wouldn't commute more than 30 mins.

 

[ExceptionalSea]

BUT if you are getting free school...that may definitely be worth it to commute 1 hour. 🙂 it's all about what motivates you.

 

[tobyfreedom1]

I live in Berkeley, CA and chose to only apply to SJSU because it is a state school and tuition is affordable! I was accepted for fall 2014 so I am committed to commuting to school-- my work is here as well as all my friends so it makes sense to do it that way. I'm lucky to be able to do most of my commuting via Amtrak (it will take about 1 hour 20 minutes each way). I am totally fine with this especially since I will be able to get a lot of work done on the train, so I would go for the cheaper school and longer commute but try and use your time that you are traveling! If you can take a bus/ train great! Bur if you have to drive try and make recordings of the lectures so you can study in the car, or record verbal 'flashcards' to practice while driving. Best of luck 🙂