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Most first-year students go through a significant adjustment as they transition to college life, but those who commute often experience an additional set of challenges.
Commuters may face long travel times, financial stress from having to buy things like gas and food, and limited schedule options for classes and student groups, for example. Students who commute, especially as freshmen, may also feel they are missing out on the full college experience and deal with feelings of isolation when they see their peers living on campus.
However, students who commute freshman year may find support and solidarity among fellow commuter students, and at some colleges, a majority of first-year students live off campus or commute.