Now that classes have started up and your child has to start getting back and forth to campus, the reality of doing it every day, rain or shine, becomes much more present.

The first rainy, snowy, or even icy day isn’t far off, and the university isn’t going to shut down just because the students may have to commute.

Your child likely has a good number of options when it comes to getting to and from their classes, no matter how close or far away they live from campus. 

Walking

The easiest, cheapest, and sometimes the best way to get to class is on foot for most students. If your child lives on or near campus, it’s likely that they’ll be doing quite a lot of walking during their college career—to class, dining centers, campus events, the library, and everywhere in between.

Walking gives your child the freedom to more or less choose their own route because they’re not contained to only roads or bike lanes, but it also means that getting everywhere is a little bit slower than if they were traveling on wheels. 

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Driving

Another main way many students, close or far, get to campus is to drive.

If your child has a parking permit for commuter lots, or if they can find a place to park for free or a small fee, driving can be a great deal depending on the weather.

While walking puts your child at the mercy of the forecast, driving eliminates much of that interference.

Cleaning off the car in the winter can be a pain, and time-consuming, but it’s also much warmer than having to brave the elements for more than a 15-minute walk.

A car also gives your child the ability to take more with them, such as books or friends that are headed to the same place. It’s convenient, but it can cost in gas and parking fees if your child chooses to drive. 

Biking

Another relatively easy but still cheap way to get to class is to bike.

A bike is nice because it gives your child the mobility and speed of the car, but the freedom to travel like a pedestrian.

A walk that would normally take 20 minutes can take less than 10 minutes on a bike.

Your child would also likely be able to carry extra items with them on a bike if it has a basket. 

Biking is also a great form of exercise, so it’s not quite as passive as walking or driving.

However, this means that maintenance on the bike will need to be kept up so that it stays in working condition all months of the year. If the chains rust or the wheels deflate, your child won’t be biking anytime soon.

There are also some lesser thought of forms of travel, including roller skates, skateboards/longboards, and scooters. These are all a little bit speedier than walking everywhere, but your chances of “traffic jams” and injury are a little bit higher. If your child chooses one of these forms of transportation, they’ll surely stand out from the crowd.  

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