Lately, gas prices have been rising, making it a struggle to set aside money to fill up the gas tank. Additionally, living off campus can’t help but drain your gas tank before you make money in your bank account. If finances are an issue with commuting by car, there are plenty of other options to commute to campus. There are plenty of ways that don’t involve gas or money, but just a bit of time and effort.
Biking to school opens opportunities to see wildlife or attractions. There’s plenty to see in Bend or to discover new places like coffee shops, cafes or bookstores. You could also bike to school to be out in the fresh air or to let your worries from life drift away with each mile. Yes, there are hills to go over, but one can find that to be the fun in biking to school and getting some movement in the day. Biking can reduce the stress of worrying about a test that is about to take place in class. It’s a major part of life that can be easily introduced to your lifestyle.
Walking to school is even better if you live five or ten minutes away from campus. It can bring a time of no stress of studying, or it can serve as a peaceful walk. There also may be time before the walk to map out a route or to see what the best way to go is and how quickly you’ll arrive at campus. It also brings opportunities to walk with someone from school and get to know them better. Walking to school gives you exercise for the day with walking to school and back home. It’s an option to understand the way of the land or to take your mind off the stressors that may be causing stress in your life.
Taking the bus can be a way to get to school as well, if you’re not close enough to walk or bike. It’s convenient to hop on the Cascades East Transit (CET) that takes you right to campus without a bus pass. It may be a struggle as well as possibly having to wake up earlier than your usual alarm in order to get on a bus. However, taking the bus can be a blessing in disguise or a one-time endeavor, depending on how much you like it.
Carpooling with a friend or neighbor who goes to Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is also an option. It’s a way to form friendships with people you may not know well yet, or to hang out with a friend in the car before school. Nothing to worry about or to get your spirits higher about the day ahead of you if it’s a bad day already. As a passenger for carpooling, you may also offer gas money or to pay for coffee.
Alexis Breshears
Reporter
