Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-442-6062

Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-925-2803

In your early years of high school, you watched with envy as seniors pulled up to school in their cars while you were forced to exit single file out of a big, yellow bus. Brand new SUV or beat-up lemon -- it made no difference. Those lucky drivers and their cars made you dream of the day when you would pass Driver's Ed and get your own set of wheels.

Now those yearnings have finally been satisfied, as you start each morning with a driver's license in one hand, and a set of keys in the other. With all this newfound freedom, it may be tempting to bring your car with you when you go away to college. But will having a  

car on campus

  drive you crazy? Before you shift into first gear, take a closer look at how this important decision can affect your college experience.

Easy Street
Having a car on campus certainly has its perks. Things many of us do independently at home -- go to the mall, go out for lunch, make trips to the pharmacy late at night -- can be a real hassle in college when you don't have wheels. "You feel very mobile," describes Alex Dayton from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, who has had his car throughout college. "A car gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want."

Alex also describes how having a car on campus can alleviate feelings of isolation. "Campus life can really suffocate you," he explains. "Without a car, you feel trapped."

Taxicab Confessions
Having a car on campus also has its drawbacks. Many students who have their own set of wheels get locked into being the designated taxi driver for everyone else.

"I felt like a chauffeur," describes Maria Sosa, also from Skidmore. "It's definitely convenient in later years, but freshman year, none of my friends drove. I had to drive them everywhere."

There's also the issue of penalties and restrictions. Maria notes that parking for freshmen who lived on campus was inconveniently located away from the dorms. This is the case at several schools, and often leads to temptation to break the rules.

"You're careful in the beginning," she explains, "but you get lazy as the semester progresses. The fines are definitely not fun."

Get in Gear
So, what are the rules at your school of choice? Some colleges allow all residential students to keep a car, many only allow upperclassmen, and others only allow freshmen to park on campus if they commute.

"Freshmen can have cars here, but we have to reserve the conveniently located lots for faculty and off-campus students," explains Dennis Conway, director of campus safety at Skidmore. "For those who break the rules, fines range from $25 to $40."

Undoubtedly, the most important step in deciding whether or not to bring a car on campus is evaluating your college's policy. Most colleges have driving and parking policies stated on their Web sites. For specific questions, you can also contact your college's security or campus safety office by telephone.

So, there you have it -- a final course in Driver's Ed. Now let's see you parallel park!

Sound Off! Post Your Comments