I haven’t taken the bus, or our MTA line for quite some time. And now, I realize that it really quirks me to do so. Just my luck, I had to take the bus on Monday, our final’s day. Well, let’s just say that I was diligent enough to wait at the bus stop at 9:00 a.m., hoping to catch the 9:15 bus and still be on time. Well, it did arrive alright .. at 9:30. Then it broke down, therefore we had to transfer to another bus. Next, we had to take about 5 mins. to load a wheelchaired guy into the bus… and a tow-car hit the bus. I mean, seriously?! Who freaking hits a bus from behind??? For one.. it’s orange. And two, it’s humongous. So, there I was reading my ASR book, trying to cramp a semester’s worth of readings into my head. It is now 9:45 a.m. and I am still on Plummer and Sepulveda. Fortunately, there are 6 other students in the bus trying to make it to their 10:15 final. Well, it’s really not fortunate, but I actually felt more relieved that I’m not alone. We eventually left at 10:15 — yes, that’s the reason why I was late.
Most college students take the bus due to the rising prices of gas. Also, most of us cannot afford paying for a car and insurance based on our minimum wage salary. In addition, we still have food and housing to worry about. Some college students who do take the bus sometimes affect their grades and attendance — partly because of the circumstances I mentioned above.
In an article in the NY times, a student named Denisha Dennis was kicked out of her college due because of her failing grades. It all adds up — she lives 5 hours away, has to live with her parents (because she can’t afford it), commutes by taking the bus, then the subway, then a cab to campus. By the time she gets to campus, she is already exhausted and too tired to concentrate. I think this is a typical scenario with a commuter CSUN student. And I know I’m not the only one who gets affected by this.
Anna
Dorm Rooms Are Revoked Over Grades
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/nyregion/13dorm.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&ref=education&adxnnlx=1203440619-BE6zivI9N0QgDI9otiDeuw&oref=slogin