As a freshman living in Stu-Han, I had big dreams of moving to the Oaks. It was an American (college student) dream: A co-ed residence hall with microwaves and refrigerators on every floor. Carpet. Cable hook-ups.
My sophomore and junior years, I lived that dream. Something inside me wanted more. I wanted freedom. Freedom to cook my own dinners, to have my own space beyond the confines of a box called a room. Freedom to make my own rules and have overnight guests. I wanted to live off campus.
Once again, I am living my dream. In doing so, I have had to come to terms with many things. First of all, I am a commuter.
As a militant resident, I used to refer to commuters as “commuter trash.” I thought they had a lot of nerve to complain about parking, commuting or food at the Spot because school was not their home like it was mine.
They periodically received free meals and came to RHA events that my fees paid for. They even had a day in their honor.
Where was my day? What did I get for free?
Now, I take every advantage of being a commuter I can. The food does not taste so bad now that it is free.
Living on campus was costly, but living off campus seems just as costly when bills have to be paid every month and food has to be bought.
I have found myself living off a diet of vitamins, cereal, spaghetti and Top Ramen. And as cheap as the noodles may be, I buy them on sale. Everything has to be on sale or have a coupon.
My roommates have practically become vegetarians like me, not for lack of interest in meat, but for a lack of meat.
We recycle our bottles, cans and plastic for profit. We recycle for friends and strangers. I have found myself digging out of the dumpster because, not only do I see irresponsible trash, I see free money.
Our first trip to the recycling center made us more than $4, which was spent on pasta and milk. Our next big purchase will be liquid soap to wash our dishes.
We are sentimental for the old residence days. We visit wings and floors with animal and cartoon themes. We made up our own “pirate” theme, decorating our apartment with all kinds of pirate paraphernalia.
Visitors believe we have a ‘70s theme, because of our outdated furniture. I do not mind people referring to our apartment as the Regal Beagle. “Three’s Company” was a great show, and as long as I get to be Janet, I’m happy.
Although we are making sacrifices to live on our own, at least we have carpet, cable, a microwave and refrigerator. Our appliances are simply antiques.
Before we could actually plug our used refrigerator in, we had to clean out ants and roaches—the living ones and the dead. We had to get rid of the rotting fish in the freezer and many other perishable and non-perishable items. Again, I compromised my standards. Unfortunately, the refrigerator still smells like fish.
I still cannot hang signs on my windows or throw loud parties, but I can burn incense, candles or cigarettes without fear of offending or getting in trouble. I do not have to worry about people stealing my food or spreading diseases in the shower.
In my own place, I have more rights, including the right to be 21.
The more I live off campus, the more I like it. I am looking forward to Commuter Day. I would like to see it changed to a commuter week or month.
Being a commuter has made me a better person. I have had to become more frugal, more responsible, more wise. Every student should get a taste of what it is like to commute, even if the closest means is living at the Oaks.
Eventually, I will have to move on to the next phase of adult living, where I will have more rights and responsibilities than I currently have: The house.
