#commuter tips

[multisnapshott]

When Will the MTA Stop Using MetroCards? Here's What Riders Need to Know

New York, NY — For decades, MetroCards have been the lifeline of New York City’s public transit system, but their time is coming to an end. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has officially announced that it will retire MetroCards by the end of 2025, as it fully transitions to the modern OMNY contactless payment system. What Is Replacing MetroCards? The new system, OMNY (One Metro…

When Will the MTA Stop Using MetroCards? Here's What Riders Need to Know

[benschiff]

things nobody tells you about commuting to college (as a non-driver)

make friends with commuters as well as residential students! if all of your friends live on campus, you probably won't have as much time to spend with them as they do with each other.

go to the library instead of a lounge area. if you're just looking for a place to sit alone in between classes, the library is usually going to be quieter than a spot where literally everyone is passing through and chatting with their friends.

you probably can't nap anywhere. depends on the school, obviously, but the easiest way to conserve energy is to just rest and have a snack when you're really tired.

take advantage of big gaps in between classes. go home for lunch if you can! sit outside for a while if it's nice out! don't stress yourself out by doing nothing for three hours if you know your friends are in class.

join clubs! clubs are a great way to make friends even if you're not on campus 24/7. i met most of my friends this year at the school paper.

sometimes events suck. if you're planning to go to an event, especially a non-sporting event, ask your upperclassmen friends how the event was last year, if it's annual. it might not be worth the uber fee if you can't get a ride.

bring your chargers. all of them. if you need more than just your laptop and phone, bring chargers for those devices, too. invest in a usb and outlet combo splitter so you can charge your phone and laptop at the same time in the same charger.

[hometownbar]

Backpack tips

I am a commuter student and last year was my first year of college. It was tougher on me than the students who lived on campus. I had to keep all my things with me all day because I couldn’t just hop over to my dorm if I had forgotten something. I wasn’t a commuter who could drive, I don’t even have a license so I took the bus each day. I had a lot less flexibility and I had to be more conscious of what I had to do each day. I learned a lot about what I had to bring and how to organize my bag each day. I don’t want people to get frustrated so here are some tips!

1) Have a sturdy backpack

I suggest you get one with lots of pockets and space. Pockets help! Also get a backpack with two straps. Shoulder bags dig into your shoulder if they’re too heavy (and they will be). With a backpack the weight is more evenly distributed and it saves you a lot of back pain. I have an Eddie Bauer backpack. Large hiking backpacks are great, and this brand actually has a life time guarantee so if anything happens to it I can return it and get a new one for free (though it has to be the same model).

2) Laptop pockets

Most backpacks have them now but if yours doesn’t have a laptop sleeve to protect your baby. And always have your laptop to the back of your backpack (i.e. closer to you). The front is the place where it can be abused easier. It is bumped more, it bends, that’s where you rest your feet during lectures, and where you have your books and notebooks. Closer is safer.

3) Supplies

Fill your bag with your needed books and supplies with your heaviest closer to you. Books and binders closer to you and folders and notebooks towards the front (away from you). you don’t want to topple over.

Know your schedule! You won’t have all your classes everyday so you can lessen your load on some days and save your back! 

4) Outside pockets

Water Bottle! Stay Hydrated! And try to keep containers away from your laptop and papers. Water bottles tend to sweat.

5) Chargers

Since I commuted it was scarier when my phone would die when I was on campus. My chargers would tangle if I left them loose in my bag. I would lose them also. Use some sort of bag to keep them in one place.

Use some sort of bag to keep them in one place like a ziplock bag or a small zipper pencil bag. Anything will do if the cords are contained. Make sure it is big enough for all your cords (phone charger, computer charger, ipod and its charger, earbuds, etc...)

6) Front Pocket

You keep all your pens and pencils in here just like any other grade. Although if you don’t consistently maintain it you’ll lose everything or it will get horribly messy. These pockets are your friends.

Also if you keep it clean you have room for your charger bag. I had enough room to put in that and a small toiletries bag. If you can’t, don’t sweat it. that can go in the main pocket.

Keep small snacks, a pocket umbrella, and your wallet and/or a lanyard in here. Be careful about the wallet though. People can unzip your pocket and take things. Also it could fall out if you leave it unzipped accidentally. I had a lanyard to hold my bus pass for easy access. When I didn’t wear it I had it in here.

In your wallet keep at least ten dollars in cash with you even if you have a credit/debit card. It could help you if your card is declined or if you are stranded somewhere or whatever. 

I also have a small first aid kit. It is the Altoids can and it only has bandaids in it. While on campus it is very unlikely that you’ll be injured badly or at all on a daily basis besides paper cuts. Unless you forget that it is not good to ride your bike/skateboard in the snow. (This does not cover assault wounds. Call an ambulance or campus security immediately.)

7) Toiletry bag

Most girls have this down but I’ll still explain the best things to bring along. You’ll need a small bag, about the size of the charger bag, for this. Below are some general stuff and some specifics but your bag will be tailored to you and your needs.

General stuff:

1) Deodorant

2) tissues

3) perfume/cologne

4) brush/comb

5) chap stick

6 )gum/ breath mints

Specifics:

1) Pads/ tampons

2) makeup for touch ups

3) condoms

4) hand lotion

5) any needed medications (prescription or topical)

Like I said if it doesn’t fit in the front pocket put it in the main pocket with your books.

8) Zipper accessories

This one you can ignore if you want to. I find it aesthetically pleasing and it individualizes your bag to fit you. Also it is easier  to grab your zippers and open them when you need to. You can use anything that can clip on to your zippers.

9) Keys

You will probably have a set of keys by now so you probably have a carabiner. If you don’t you can get them cheap at Walmart. I keep my keys clipped on the outside of my bag so i always know where they are. Clip them to the straps if you have the little plastic D-rings but if your straps are naked you can clip your keys to the handle on the top of your backpack. 

On my carabiner I have my house key, bike key, accessories, and pepper spray. I suggest this for everyone no matter who you are. Knives are good but in a confrontation they can be taken from you. If you have long days away and a long commute like me you’ll probably be getting home in the dark. Better safe than sorry. I got mine from Target.

That’s really all I have to share about how to pack your backpack for commuter students. This can be adapted for anyone and for anything. You can use this same concept for trips, high school, overnight stays, or anything. I hope this helped and I hope you all have the best of luck in school!

[mycommuterproblems]

Thinking of making Commuter Survival Tips a thing. What do you guys think?