Month: August 2021

Tips for Commuting

Being a commuter student on campus can be difficult especially when you are on campus all day from 8AM – 5 PM. I’ve gathered feedback from my peers and composed a list of advice and tips for students! Here are a few tips from current commuter students: 

  • Pack like you are leaving for a road trip.  

You want to make sure you have everything you need whether it’s your laptop charger to a sweatshirt. It almost seems that each building on campus is either freezing or smoldering hot based on the season. Typically, most buildings on campus are cold, so bringing a sweatshirt to campus is a must. Also, pack your iPad/iPhone charger, your laptop charger. You may need your chargers if you are on campus all day. It’s always better to pack more than you think you will need so you don’t forget something that impacts your day! 

  • Bring a water bottle or a tumbler to campus.  

Not only will this help you save money, but you will contribute to being a sustainable Buckeye. There are lots of water fountains all around campus where you can fill up your bottle. A few restaurants may be able to fill up your tumbler or bottle with coffee so be on the lookout out for that! 

  • Do not text/call and drive. 

You have heard this a hundred times but don’t text and drive. You must be especially careful on campus because there are a lot of people on campus each day.  Students, staff, faculty, and visitors are crossing streets, rushing to their next destination, and are expecting you to stop, so they may not be paying as close attention as they should be. Remember, pedestrians always have the right of way!   

  • Find the right parking pass for you.  

Many students park at the Buckeye Lot because it is the most cost-effective option, but it is a short bus ride from the Buckeye Lot to Central Campus. Based on your eligibility, you may have more options to park on campus available to you. Visit CampusParc for more information regarding permits.   

  • Always leave early.  

Many students come to campus early to find a good spot to park or to get to class on time. I am a morning person, so I take 8 AM classes. I know it sounds awful, but you get used to it over time. For my morning classes I typically leave my house around 6:50 AM. It takes me 25 minutes to get to campus with rush hour traffic, and an additional 20 minutes to comfortably get to class and make sure I get coffee on the way. Leaving early ensures that even if I hit more traffic, need to spend more time waiting for a bus, or if I run into someone I want to talk to, I have plenty of time to still be at class on time without starting off my day rushing around campus. No one likes to sit in a lecture hall when they are sweaty from running across the oval! 

 

Hopefully, this helps! I am always willing to give more tips! 

 

Sincerely,  

Your favorite Commuter Student- Abby  

How to Navigate the City Using COTA

As an Ohio State student, you have the opportunity of using the COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) through your BuckID. This initially sounds great but can get confusing very quickly if you don’t have experience with using public transportation. Here are some questions you may have: 

 

  • Where are the bus stops? 
  • Where do the different bus lines go? 
  • How do I know when the bus is coming? 

 

Here’s a simple guide from COTA: https://www.cota.com/how-to-ride/  

 

COTA recommends using their trip planner on their website, but if you have a smartphone the Transit app makes travelling with COTA incredibly easy: https://transitapp.com/  

 

Through the app you can choose a destination and it will then show you the best bus lines and route to take from your current location. It will track the bus that you choose providing current updates as to when the bus is coming and where it is. 

 

After determining your route, using the bus is simple. COTA buses stop at bus stops when they see somebody waiting there. When boarding the bus, be sure to swipe your BuckID as that will serve as your fare for the trip. Pay attention to the stops you are passing as that will clue you in as to when you need to get off. When you know which stop to get off at, be sure to pull the yellow wire to alert the driver that you need to get off at the next stop. Due to COVID, current protocol is to exit the bus from the back door so as not to crowd the front of the bus.  

 

Most useful lines for Ohio State students: 

  • 2: Travels North and South on High Street, useful for exploring outside of campus 
  • 31: Travels through South campus, Med campus, and takes you close to Lennox Town Center 

Be a Respectful Scooter User

This morning while walking to the Union on 13th I came across multiple scooters laying across the sidewalk. Unfortunately, they were also laying across the sidewalk right next to a handicap street parking spot. This is generally annoying behavior, but it is also disrespectful of those with disabilities. Imagine being a wheelchair user in the off-campus area and you come across a scooter laying askew in the sidewalk – how would you navigate the situation? As members of the off-campus community, we need to make an effort to create a safe and welcoming neighborhood for all.

 

Here are some tips on how to be a respectful scooter user: 

Meet the Team: Gabby

Hi everyone! My name is Gabby Gick, and I am currently a junior at Ohio State studying Marketing in the Fisher College of Business. I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. I currently work as a Community Ambassador as well as an Administrative Assistant for the Willie J. Young Off-Campus & Commuter Student Engagement Office at Ohio State.  

Some of my on-campus involvements include being on Executive Board for my business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon, as well as being a mentor for my University Scholars Program, Media Marketing & Communications Scholars. In my free time, I love to travel, watch movies, and spend time with my friends and family!