By Shea Ramsey
For many college students, a sense of belonging and community is one of the highest priorities and highlights of their college experience. That experience can look very different based on where students live. Some walk just minutes from their dorm rooms to class, while others make the drive to campus each day and head home once their classes are over.
“I have lived on campus since my freshman year and I think it has made all the difference,” said Andrea Luna, a senior who lives on campus. “I met people in my freshman year dorm that I would have never seen in any of my classes who have become some of my best friends, and even roommates.”
For Luna, though, proximity hasn’t been her only source of getting to know people. Joining activities, hanging out with friends and participating in on-campus events has been a big part of why U of L feels like home to her now. Living on campus can help students feel more connected while providing greater access to academic and social support.
The struggles of commuting
For commuter students, building that same kind of community often takes more deliberate effort. Dalton Smith, a sophomore who commutes to U of L, feels commuting has made his college experience a little different than anticipated when it comes to building friendships and being part of the on-campus culture.
“I met some friends through class, but a lot of the time they would be talking about things that happened in their dorms or other times that I wasn’t on campus, and it made me feel out of the loop,” said Smith. “I just had to make more of an effort to stay later on campus and make plans in advance if I knew my friends were doing something or a club I joined was having a meeting.”
Because they don’t live on campus, commuters typically have less downtime between classes to socialize or take part in various events. Once class ends, a lot of people’s personal schedules require that they go to work or straight home.
That doesn’t mean commuters are shut out of campus life though. U of L offers a Commuter and Transfer Initiatives program that includes resources, programs and events built specifically to help off-campus students find a stronger sense of belonging.
Finding a place at U of L looks different for everyone. For some, it’s late-night talks with a roommate or friendships formed with the person you sat next to during sorority recruitment. For others, it’s joining a student organization, getting to know classmates and making the most of the smaller chunk of time spent on campus.
Whether students drive from home or walk out of their dorm every morning, the opportunity to build community comes down to the same thing: seeking out chances to connect. The paths may look a little different, but the chance to be a part of the lively campus culture exists for everyone who is looking for it.
Featue Photo by Claire Schneider / The Louisville Cardinal
