My name is Loreto Galvan-Alva ‘25 (she/her), and I am majoring in psychology. I live in Hoffman Estates, IL and I commute to campus Monday through Friday. I have compiled some tips and tricks that have helped me as a commuter, which I hope it will help to ensure you have a good commuting experience as well!
What to pack
The first step to ensuring your success as a commuter student is to bring all your necessities with you! This can include items such as; device chargers, snacks, water bottles, hygiene products, and of course class materials. By packing efficiently, you can make your commute a rather smooth process by ensuring you do not forget anything at home!
Lockers
You can reserve a locker to store your textbooks or anything else you may need while you are on campus for the academic year. There are lockers in Stuart Commons, located right outside the mailroom pick-up windows. They are available on a first-come, first serve basis, so don’t wait until the last minute!
Find a study spot
I would say the very next thing that ensures success as a commuter student is to find the perfect study spot. For example, at first I utilized the Commuter Student Lounge in Deerpath Hall. This lounge is a designated space just for commuter students and has a fridge, microwaves, computers/printer, and a lounge space (which some students use for naps). Now, I have found that the Library best fits the environment I like to study in, and I am able to use the collaborative spaces to finish my work before going home.
How to stay connected
Finally, the most important aspect of being a commuter student is to find a balance between returning home and connecting with Lake Forest College. I’ll break down this section into the parts I think have helped me stay connected to campus.
Check your emails daily
You can learn more about events on campus through Student Announcement emails. There will be days with parking restrictions due to large-scale events. To make sure you don’t park in a restricted area, just make sure to check your email each morning. The Director of Public Safety sends emails well in advance to let you know of upcoming parking restrictions. Also, if you are ever having trouble finding parking, you are more than likely to find a parking spot on North Campus.
Parking
If possible, arrive on campus early! Although I’m not a morning person, arriving to campus early has allowed me to find a parking spot stress-free as well as have more time to fit socializing into my schedule. For example, by arriving on campus earlier, I have been able to start off my mornings with breakfast in the cafeteria (shout out to Chef Ruben!) as well as the ability to do homework prior to class!
Student involvement
Connect with organizations that best align with your schedule. At Lake Forest, we have a plethora of student organizations, one of which is our commuter student organization. I highly encourage you to join! By connecting with these organizations, you can more easily make friendships and further create a strong connection to our campus. However, it’s important to note that part of finding balance is planning your schedule to stay on campus a bit later. By not immediately commuting back home, you are able to access more events, time with friends, ability to study, but above all, the ability to connect!