Arbaaz Alizarr. S
I EEE
Commuting for hours on a daily basis is a part of a day scholar’s college life. Traveling from half a city across in an air-conditioned automobile or metropolitan train, watching the world move around you as you go on may seem thrilling at first, but don’t fall for the deceiving fancy toppings on a bitter cake! (Trust me non-commuters, it gets super boring after a while.) It is a test of endurance, patience, and most importantly, time management.
Let’s face it: A long commute can feel like wasted time. You could be catching up on sleep, workouts, or studies, but you are stuck in a cool metal box counting down the minutes until you arrive. Don’t worry, there are a handful of ways out of this void. You take it as an opportunity, not a setback.
Turn Idle time into Productive time:
Learn along the way – Long commutes are perfect for squeezing in some extra knowledge. There are numerous audiobooks and podcasts available on platforms like Apple Podcast and Spotify for no cost. I personally listen to podcasts like ‘Star Talk by Neil deGrasse Tyson and ‘Good-Bad Billionaire by BBC’ on Spotify.
Plan On-the-Go – Use your spare time to organise and craft schedules for weeks ahead. Write down to-do lists, set your goals for the day, and map out assignments and deadlines. Meddle through the countless apps available in the Play Store like Notion or Google Keep to help streamline the process.
Quick Tip: Utilize the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize your tasks efficiently.
Talk your way through – If you talk a lot and don’t have a grumpy misophonic neighbour sitting beside you, try connecting with your relatives and friends via calls, or simply texts. It’s a great way to maintain relationships when life gets busy.
Make time for yourself – Practice mindfulness. Long commutes, restless days, and anticipation of your previous exam’s results can be exhausting. Make use of this extra time to practice breathing techniques and meditation. This may help build a calm temperament and a righteous character as you self-reflect. (My personal favourite travel chore)
Final Thoughts
As a famous purple man with a grilled chin once said, “Perfectly Balanced, as all things should be.” Balancing long hours of daily commute with college life is no small feat, but it’s far from impossible. With a little creativity, curiosity, planning, and the right mindset, you can transform those hours into something meaningful and entertaining. So, pack your bags, brace yourselves, and embrace your ride!
