Graduate school is challenging, bringing many new obstacles and changes to everyday life. One of those lifestyle adjustments I have found most challenging so far is commuting. I live about 50 minutes from Brandeis by car, but commute times can leap up to two hours if I travel during rush hour. As such, I have had to get creative to pass the time during my commute, and find ways to make it as manageable as possible. After figuring out a routine, I found there are a few things that have helped me the most during this period of adjustment.
1. Avoid traveling during rush hour. I often travel before/after the heaviest periods during the day. Sometimes this means leaving my house at 6:30 am for a 9 am class, and other times leaving campus at 5:30 or 6 after the bulk of traffic has passed. This reduces commute time and the stress of sitting in gridlock traffic. Arriving early or staying late also allows for an extra study session or even just a chance to relax before or after class.
2. Find a good audiobook or podcast to get lost in. I struggle with feeling unproductive during commutes; my mind often wanders to what else I could be doing, and how silly it seems that I’m wasting hours driving to and from class. To combat this, I listen to audiobooks or podcasts while driving, making an otherwise monotonous time an opportunity for learning or reading. For audiobooks, which can get pricey fast, I opt to listen through Spotify or Libby (an app that connects to your library card) to have a steady stream of audiobooks at the ready.
3. Keep snacks in your car. No one likes being hangry, especially while driving. After a long day of classes, the last thing you want is to be hungry while commuting home. I like to keep a box of granola bars in my car, just in case I happen to need a snack. It cuts down on my stress levels and makes commuting easier.
4. Use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze to plan your route. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a surprise traffic jam caused by an accident or other mishap, so I use Google Maps every time I commute to campus. It will suggest alternate routes, sometimes avoiding the highway entirely, to avoid the worst backups.
5. Carpool if you can. Unfortunately I do not live near anyone else in my program, so I am unable to use this tip myself, but carpooling is a great way to cut down on gas costs and you get a break from driving a day or two a week. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with others in your program and learn more about one another.
I have found it helpful to be creative when figuring out how to get to and from grad school in a stress-free way. Living far from campus can be a challenge, but at the same time the drive can be an opportunity to decompress from the day, mull over class material, and have some time to yourself during a busy semester.