5 tips for commuting art students

College students are typically under a tremendous amount of stress during each semester. Between academic responsibilities and personal goals, it can be a lot for one person to handle, especially if you commute.

Many people that attend art schools in New York commute on a daily or weekly basis. This might cause some students to shy away from these types of schools.

However, commuting should not hold students back.

Colleges like the Art Institute of New York City are great for those who’d like to get their start in the ever-popular world of design.

However, much can be done to minimize the amount of stress from commuting. Art school can be hectic enough, after all. In order to make your time in art school – or any type of campus, for that matter – as rewarding as possible, here are 5 tips to keep in mind:

1. Study the directions and campus early on

If you are going to drive to school each day, study the footpaths and campuses before the semester begins. Commuting requires you to understand where it is that you are going.

Try to follow different routes a few times to ensure that you do not get lost. In addition, study campus parking lots to determine the best area to park. Typically, during student orientation events, this subject will be discussed, and students may receive tips on this subject.

2. Decide if meal plans are best for you

One of the positives about the meal plans offered by campuses across the board is that they practically eliminate the need for students to go out to find their own meals. If students have the means, it’s easy to see why this option should be taken. Of course, college students are typically not the best-off in regards to finances, so meal plans may not be worth it.

For students who are more conscious about their finances, packing lunches and smaller snacks in between might be the most frugal option. It’s important to note, though, that this subject is entirely subjective.

3. Have emergency contacts on hand

Let’s say that you are driving to school and your car suddenly stalls or runs out of gas. Without any way to get back on the road, you might have to take it upon yourself to get in touch with one of your emergency contacts. In most cases, this is a parent, but you can list other family members as well, in addition to close friends. Essentially, emergency contacts should be those who you trust. In order to avoid staying stranded, have a few phone numbers handy.

4. Be mindful of the weather

One of the things that I stressed about the most during my academic career was the weather, and how it would impact classes. For the most part, though, college instructors know how extreme weather can be certain days, especially during the winter, and may cancel class as a result. In the best case scenarios, instructors make it a point to inform students about cancellation through email. If you see tremendous snow or sleet outside, and you do not feel comfortable going out on the road, check your email.

5. Get involved in part-time work

Those who are financially conscious are usually the ones who have taken it upon themselves to find work. Part-time jobs do not have to be the most glamorous; they simply have to be positions in which money can be earned.

This is especially true for commuters, since they not only have to think about food-related costs, but money for fuel as well. While many commuters opt to take the bus, there are those who have their own vehicles and gas is not exactly cheap. This is where part-time work can come into effect and it is highly recommended.

About the Author:

Rob Sutter graduated from Farmingdale State College with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Communication. Writing is his preferred art form, as he has written several blogs in the realm of social media.