Florida Atlantic University is a commuter school that also means that it is very hard for the university to ensure that the students will have a “college-like experience.” As mentioned in my prior article, I believe that it is totally up to the student as to what kind of college experience they will have; it is what they make of it.

Besides the fact that the city of Boca Raton has tons of things available from awesome restaurants to amazing shopping, there are also many places that try to incorporate a more college-like feeling. For example, everyone has to notice all the fliers either handed out to them, in their classroom or on the ground that shows which place is “happening” on each night. These places may not be the most fun, but at least they exist and make an effort to bring together all the college students in town. Also, there always seems to be tables of people in the breezeway asking for you to get involved in whatever they are in. Maybe next time instead of walking past them as if they were invisible, listen to what they have to say; maybe you will be interested.

So you live in Fort Lauderdale or somewhere “far” from Boca and you don’t feel like driving all the way home to then turn around to come back to Boca. Well, the library seems to be a wonderful place to study and get all your schoolwork done-I have also heard tons of people meeting new friends there. For the girls, FAU has a salon in the University Center that can provide them with everything from waxing to getting their hair done. For the guys, there are tons of sports events that one can come out to and help bring together some school spirit! The university also has tons of clubs, intramural sports, fitness activities and sororities/fraternities that people can join so they feel more involved and forget the fact that FAU is a commuter school.

Honestly, I used to be one of those people who went to school and then home, and not even think of the fact that I was just letting this incredible experience pass me by. So I changed things around, got involved in just about all aspects that the university has to offer, and I am now a happier person because of it. I will be able to look back at my college life as something that was fun rather than feeling sorry for myself because I went to a commuter school and didn’t have the same experience as those who attending UF. I didn’t wait for the university to change things, but instead I changed things and made sure I was as active in the school as I could be. When I graduate in three weeks, I will look back at some wonderful memories and will not have regrets of not ever getting involved.

The fact that FAU is a commuter school does not give anyone an excuse to not get involved; and anyway most likely you were the one who chose to attend FAU knowing that it was not going to be like a college-town university. As mentioned before, there are countless numbers of things to do and places to go. You can either keep blaming the drive to Boca for the lack of a college life or you can live with it, and make things happen. Don’t let your four years of college drift away without getting involved. It will definitely be a decision that you will regret.