Weighing the Pros & Cons of Commuting• BENEFITS– Your own/more space– Kitchen, washer, dryer,

living room, etc.– Can be more affordable– Easier to entertain– More independence– Able to get away from

campus

• CHALLENGES– Rent & Bills– Cost of Food– Further from campus– Not as convenient to

classes, dining, UREC, etc.– Parking/transportation

The Roommate Experience• Stress at home can lead to stress at school.• Be prepared for the honeymoon period. • Communication is key!• Schedule a time when you first move in for all

roommates to talk things over.

Communicating with Your Roommate

• Make your expectations clear, and document what is agreed upon.

• What should you talk about?• Your limits, values, preferences, and personalities.• Define roles—who will pay rent? who will pay utilities?• Sharing food costs• The cleanliness of common areas.

• Be observant

http://offcampushousing.lsu.edu

• Attend Class.• Schedule breaks in between classes for lunch or to

relax on campus.• Don’t overload all your classes into one day.• Meet your professors.• Sit in the front or middle of the classroom.• Make friends with your classmates.• Invest your time on campus; don’t spend it!

Tips for Your First Year

A Few More Tips…• Set aside money at the start of each month for

utilities, groceries, gas, and extra expenses.• Look for a campus job. http://

careercenter.lsu.edu/careers2geaux

• Choose a commuter meal plan and eat on campus. www.lsu.edu/dining

Getting to Campus• Buy a commuter parking pass to park in the

LSU commuter lots.• Annually = $165• Semester = $80

• Plan your transportation method. Do you want to bike, ride the Tiger Trails buses, walk, etc.?

Commuter Resources

• Download the LSU Mobile App.• TransLoc Feature • checks the location of the Tiger Trails

buses.• http://tigertrails.lsu.edu

• Campus Life: www.lsu.edu/campuslife• Greek Life: www.lsu.edu/greeks• LSU Ambassadors: http://www.lsuambassadors.com/ • Attend the Student Organization Fair, and try new

organizations.

Getting Involved on Campus

Academic Resources• Center for Academic Success: www.lsu.edu/cas• Free Tutoring, Computers, Printers, and other resources in

Middleton Library.• University College Center for Freshman Year (UCFY)

Attend athletic, entertainment & cultural events• LSU Athletics: www.lsusports.net • Swine Palace: www.swinepalace.org • LSU Theatre: http://www.theatre.lsu.edu

Stay fit on campus• University Recreation: www.lsu.edu/urec

Get Involved with First Year Experience

• STRIPES: stripes.lsu.edu • Bengal Bound: bengalbound.lsu.edu • Bengals Beyond the Bayou fye.lsu.edu • Commuter Student Programs http://

students.lsu.edu/fye/programs/commuter-programs • Tiger Transition Team http://

students.lsu.edu/fye/programs/tiger-transition-team

Questions?Justin Daws

jdaws1@lsu.eduMaggi Spurlock

mspurl1@lsu.edu