Dan's December 2003 Journal

1-30-2004    Being A Commuter Student

Hello again,

I’d like to take this time and space to enlighten you all about the joys of commuting at Canisius. Since I believe that I am the only one of my counterparts who commutes to Canisius, this should be an eye opener for you all!

I live in Cheektowaga, which is only theoretically 10 minutes away from Canisius so I don’t commute too far but in the morning it’s a distance. Now, if you’re going to commute to Canisius, my word of advice for you is to sign up for the 8:30 am classes because if you don’t, finding a parking spot can be a little trickier after 9:00 a.m. Luckily I’ve been able to get into 8:30 am classes both semesters so it’s been, how do you say --  “A piece of pie”. Haha!

A tribute to my car during the winter months -- Snow, you've gotta love it!

My daily routine from high school really hasn’t changed except for in high school I started at 7:10 so I needed to be ready by at least 6:30. With college I don’t have to wake up until at least 7 so I get an extra hour of sleep, which in college you’ll find out is a definite plus. If you become like a lot of us driver’s and take the 33, which merges with the Main Street exit or the 198…you’ll soon find that you will need to leave a little earlier than you thought you had to because many days it is baaaaaacked up like you wouldn’t believe. The worst I’ve ever seen it was when it was stuck all the way to the Cheektowaga/Buffalo line. So another word of advice, try not to run late because you could get yourself in a pickle.

Now although you are a commuter, it doesn’t mean that you have to feel more or less of a student at Canisius. Resident students might tease you because you commute and they can wake up 10 minutes before class starts and still be early. Well…good for them…haha…but commuting is also an experience in itself. Canisius is unique because it wants to get the commuters involved in many different activities around the school.

First off, I had never heard of a Commuter Student Association until I came to Canisius and that has definitely been a plus for me. I’ve met so many new people and friends and I’ve also participated in multiple events around campus. If someone tells you that there’s really nothing to do at Canisius or that it’s boring to go there, they’re absolutely wrong because Canisius offers you so much. So many people tell me that I’m wearing myself thin and that I’m joining too many things but without being involved, why go somewhere for schooling.

You need to get involved to fully enjoy the college experience. You don’t need to dorm to get that. College is much more than partying every night with people that you don’t know and probably won’t remember. Canisius is a community of friends and caring about each other and so far I’ve found that same bond with so many new people that I’ve become good friends with. We’ve all been told that college is supposed to be the best times of your life…well I believe it’s how you live that period in your life that makes it the time of your life. You’ll receive many things from this campus if you want, but it depends on how much effort you put into it that will ultimately determine how much you’ll really get out of the whole experience. More words of wisdom next month boys and girls. Meanwhile, be safe and god bless. Toodles!

Daniel P. Puccio
CSA Secretary and Co-Chairman (Proud to be a commuter!)
Freshie, Class of 2007