Should I keep commuting?

[oregonhopeful]

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I live about an hour away from Oregon State. For my undergrad I've commuted and sometimes it's a little exhausting - other times it's a nice break. I've been planning on moving to Corvallis and getting an apartment, but it's looking significantly more expensive especially since I can commute with my brother this fall and save a lot of gas money. The big issue is the commute takes about 2 1/2 hours out of my day every day that I lose and can't use to study. Everything I've heard so far is that the first year really sucks and time management is really really important. Would I be nuts to try to commute?

 

[sumstorm]

I can commute with my brother this fall and save a lot of gas money. The big issue is the commute takes about 2 1/2 hours out of my day every day that I lose and can't use to study. Everything I've heard so far is that the first year really sucks and time management is really really important. Would I be nuts to try to commute?

Will your brother's schedule really mesh with yours to enable you to commute together? If so, could you take turns driving so the other could study? Could whoever is driving prep to study while driving (perhaps a cd of questions with pauses after?)

I personally wouldn't be able to do it...but only you know your tolerance levels.

 

[ImaJerseyGirl]

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[StealthDog]

Ah, but you can use it to study! I have a few classmates with long commutes, and they record lectures using voice recorders during the day and re-listen to them during their drives.

That said, I spent the first year of vet school commuting about 45 minutes each way, and now live about 5 minutes from campus... I definitely prefer living closer, and I feel safer not having to spend so much time on the road every day.

 

[rachroo]

I can appreciate what you are having to go through. I, too, often had to allow for a 2-2.5 hour commute during much of my UG.

I commuted from home for various reasons which also allowed me to save $40-50k. Due to long commute time coupled with family responsibilites and my PT job, my grades suffered early on...until I took as many classes at the closer regional campuses as possible, learned better time management techniques, and how to study smarter (not harder).

If you can maintain good grades and don't mind the commute, then it would save you a lot of $. But, if your grades are suffering and you can't seem to find your groove, I'd suggest moving closer for the extra 2.5 hours a day (which adds up!) for study/relaxation.

You know you best, but that time is very valuable.

Great advice; I totally agree with this!

 

[sofficat]

2.5 X 5 days a week = 12.5 hrs

i couldn't imagine losing 12 hours a week. there are times when i feel like i don't have time to eat or pee or sleep... nevertheless spend 12 hours A WEEK in a car.

i don't mean to be so negative, but having that extra 15 minutes when a professor lets you out early is priceless.

then again, your car time could be your relax time. you might end up being the most relaxed person in your class! heck, if i could chill for 2 hours a day that'd be awesome!

also, scheduling with your bro could get difficult when you have dinner meetings you have to stay for, etc.

do you have a dog? do you want one? there is no going home and letting him out to potty when you live an hour away.

there is a lot to think about and only you know you best. the good thing is, even if you make the decision to live where you do now it doesn't mean you're stuck there for 4 years. if it does suck then move after your first semester.

 

[rachroo]

oregonhopeful: I didn't realize that you will be a vet student this fall; I thought you were talking about still commuting for undergrad (sorry, brain fart, I guess)!! In that case, I would NOT commute that long of a distance for vet school.

Congrats and good luck!! 🙂

 

[oregonhopeful]

2.5 X 5 days a week = 12.5 hrs

i couldn't imagine losing 12 hours a week. there are times when i feel like i don't have time to eat or pee or sleep... nevertheless spend 12 hours A WEEK in a car.

i don't mean to be so negative, but having that extra 15 minutes when a professor lets you out early is priceless.

then again, your car time could be your relax time. you might end up being the most relaxed person in your class! heck, if i could chill for 2 hours a day that'd be awesome!

also, scheduling with your bro could get difficult when you have dinner meetings you have to stay for, etc.

do you have a dog? do you want one? there is no going home and letting him out to potty when you live an hour away.

there is a lot to think about and only you know you best. the good thing is, even if you make the decision to live where you do now it doesn't mean you're stuck there for 4 years. if it does suck then move after your first semester.

I guess this is what I'm most concerned about. My brother and my dad are both trying to talk me into staying here but I just can't imagine losing all that time every day. And honestly, I don't see myself managing to study while he drives. Plus there's always the concern that my brother may get sick of driving according to my schedule (with hours way longer than his).
My dog is a big concern for me. It would be better for both of us if I was close enough to come home and play with him during the day.
You are all probably right, it would be crazy to try to do the commute. I just hate the idea of spending all that money on rent when my family and a bed is so "close."

 

[twelvetigers]

You can save money by taking your laundry home on the weekends instead of going to the laundromat. 😉

You know what's best for you - the money saved won't be worth much if you're struggling to keep up in class and missing your dog all the time (and possibly straining your relationship with your brother). Try and find a financially reasonable place, and make sure you explain your reasoning to your dad, in case he might take it personally.

 

[HeartSong]

Several people here commute at least an hour each way. One is a woman who had a baby right before 1st year and then again right before 3rd year. I honestly don't know how anyone can do it, but if there's enough reason to I guess they can make it work. I also know someone who moved closer at the beginning of this semester and she says it is sooo much better than a long commute. My "home" is an hour away, but I would never be able to handle the commute. I can barely put up with driving it to visit once a month, lol.

Some things to consider. I'm sure you've thought of most of these things, but just in case you haven't ... Will you ever want to do study groups, study in a lab after hours or go to activities in the evening? If so, will you give up those things just to be able to commute, will you repeat the commute just to go to those things or will you hang around school and not go home until after the events are over? Will you have less chance to hang out with your classmates if you commute? Can you move in with an upperclassman vet student? The rent will probably be cheaper than getting a place on your own and some students are very helpful to underclassmen. Is your family more of a support net or a distractor to you? For me, I can never study at home because I'm too distracted. But if you find you are more encouraged to study at home, then the commute might be worth it. If your brother is commuting too, could you both move closer and split the cost of rent? Will you be able to find a place that allows pets?