By Josh Tolentino
Staff Writer
I remember the day I wanted to be a commuter. I told myself I wanted to be as far away from everything as possible and have the experience of someone who went to a CUNY (city university).
It’s my last year, and I can honestly say I’ve had a college experience different from the movie stereotype. People tend to look at a commuter’s college experience as the equivalent of eating a salad without avocados. It’s the type of story your co-worker tells, running her mouth about how she hustled even though she still works in retail.
Commuting gives you the best of both worlds: hanging out with your friends and having your own shower. It’s a great moment when you step onto something gross in your tub, squirm and realize, “Wait, that’s my hair, it’s fine, we’re OK.”
I am not a rich man. I take two buses to get home to Flushing, and I’ve had my share of frustration with the MTA’s service – I see why they give the announcement that assaulting workers is a felony.
Here’s the thing, I found that my best and most unique experiences in college were when I missed the last bus or when I had nothing to do and stayed late on campus.
Commuters are always in a hurry to get out. We have stuff to do off-campus, but we also have life to live on-campus.
For me, this was the one time I got to party full-out. Drinking and talking about nothing, laughing and wondering if you might be gay – that’s college. You don’t get that if you make it before rush hour. So let’s make this year the best one yet, while we also keep our own shower.
Be First to Comment