By Esther Baltz-Myers
I have been a commuter since I attended Hiwassee College, Cleveland State Comm. College, and now TWC. Yes, commuting can be very challenging but there are also many memorable experiences to take from commuting. My commuting experiences have been joyful, memorable, and very interesting so far.
One advantage to commuting is that I know the true definition of time management. During my summer semester, here is how my normal 40+ work week went: I get off work at 5pm, be at my TWC Knox class by 6pm on Tuesday / Thursday (w/ 2 minutes to spare) or be at my TWC-Athens class on Monday by 6pm, fight with my homework and study for exams, attend church on Wednesday night, and still have time to socialize with friends and family. Confusing? Imagine how I felt that whole summer semester and still be able to pass my classes? Overall, my commuting experience taught me a lot about time management. It was a memorable experience that I do not care to go through again, if at all possible.
One of my favorite things I enjoy about commuting is that I have quiet time to myself without anybody talking or screaming at me or behind me while I’m driving. I get to listen to whatever radio station I want and just relax while alert at same time. I am able to drive my own favorite way: drive with one knee under the wheel, have a cup of coffee in my left hand and text on my cell phone with my right hand, all while keeping my eyes on the road. I arrive at TWC parking lot very relaxed and calm and ready to take on whatever class I got that night.
Just last night after my music class let out, I had another memorable experience of commuting on my way home. I was less than ½ a mile away from my exit and managed to hit two construction cones. Interestingly enough, a cop saw me hit the cones and pulled me off on the exit he was sitting on. When the officer asked if I was intoxicated, I said no and explained to him that I was on my way home from a boring and long music class lecture and I misjudged my exit ramp by accidentally hitting two construction cones. After showing him my car registration, license, and TWC ID, he let me go with a warning asking me to take my music class more seriously and try to avoid any more construction cones. That was a very scary, interesting, and memorable experience I will never forget.
Yes, commuting can be very challenging but it can be a memorable experience too. You as the commuter can make commuting fun or miserable. I choose to make commuting memorable and safe and to be thankful for all the advantages of commuting has to offer me.
