Many students finish their first class of the day and have a three-hour break until their next one. This is a common experience for commuters at Central Connecticut State University. Each commuter has their own journey to find their perfect study spot.
CCSU commuter Sidra Bedir knows this feeling well, with two three-hour gaps between some of her classes. Bedir often finds herself surrounded by students in similar positions.
“I see a lot of commuters at the Dunkin’ … I see a lot of people hang out there or sometimes Halal Buns,” said Bedir. “I go to the student center, I know that commuters go there or the Devil’s Den.”
Using time to catch up on homework and interact with classmates on campus is a common pastime for CCSU commuters. When it comes to productivity in between classes, Bedir explains it is all about balance.
“I try to find a good spot in the library to work, and I also hang out with friends,” said Bedir.
Commuters at CCSU have different methods of finding their perfect spot on campus to chat with peers, do homework, or just hang out at the campus Starbucks.
Ava Lewellyn shared her thoughts on the most popular go-to spots for commuters.
“I just started going to the Student Center … I know a lot of people go to their cars, though,” said Lewellyn.
The Student Center has become a favorite for many commuters. It offers cozy seating areas, outlets for charging laptops, and easy access to food options. But not every space is perfect for every student.
“The library is usually very packed,” Lewellyn noted.
The Elihu Burritt Library, while convenient and equipped with computers and a Starbucks, can get crowded during peak hours.
A possible commuter solution for a seemingly packed library is to make your way through the crowd of coffee-sipping study sessions and check out the second floor of Elihu Burritt Library. The second floor often has plenty of space to avoid the chaos and get an uninterrupted study session.
Lewellyn’s advice? The extra wait time is the perfect opportunity to complete homework and beat procrastination.
“I just do homework all the time, doing your homework is the best thing you can do,” said Lewellyn.
In the colder months, when the outdoor spaces of CCSU are too frigid to take advantage of, some commuters will have to embark again on their journey to find their spot on campus. Lewellyn predicts the route commuters may take.
“I think everyone’s just going back to being in their cars … they have the heat,” said Lewellyn.
Troy Kaiser tends to avoid common commuter areas but instead prefers following his own routine.
“I spend most of my time at Willard, because that’s where my car is parked and I don’t really see much need to stray from it. The couches with footrests are good for work, but sitting in a transitional space like the lounges in the hallway is not very relaxing,” said Kaiser.
Kaiser marches to the beat of his own drum and admits he has not explored much of campus and prefers to use the long breaks to go off campus. However, the opening of the Central Market has made Willard-DiLoreto Hall more enjoyable.
“I’ve been enjoying the new market in Willard for occasionally buying a drink,” said Kaiser.
Kaiser agrees that long days of commuting are best spent getting work done.
“In my mind, I’m responsible for getting as much done as I can during my breaks, because that frees up my time off campus. I start my break by eating lunch and then doing one assignment at a time with only short breaks in between completing them. Only if I have no work to do am I looking for something recreational,” said Kaiser.
