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What It’s Like to Be a Commuter Student at USM

Making major life decisions as a young adult isn’t always easy — something that becomes especially clear once you start college. A couple years ago, I made the choice to transfer to the University of Southern Maine and commute to classes while living at home. 

Being a commuter student comes with challenges and I know it’s not for everyone. Keep reading to find out what works for me, and what my life looks like as a commuter student at USM.

Finding My Path and My Place at USM

When I first began at the University of Southern Maine, I had already been on a pretty real roller coaster. I graduated high school in 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic. I had to put off attending my first college choice, the Fashion Institute of Technology, for a year. When I did go, I quickly realized it was not the right fit. I transferred out, regrouped, and eventually chose USM.