The Bland Life of the College Vagabond

As commuters ourselves, our daily experiences have undoubtedly sparked a strong interest for a

research-based exploration of the lifestyle. We focused our inquiry on the impacts of commuting

on student wellbeing as a manifestation of health. In collecting feedback from our stakeholders,

we heavily relied on the Empathize and Define segments of the design process. By

empathizing with the beginners mindset, we were able to gain genuine information about the

experiences, views, and needs of different types of commuters. By defining, we were able to

formulate a composite definition of the toll of commuting from our different stakeholders.

Driving, public transportation, and working commuter students need to find a way to feel

refreshed and energized at the start of every day in order to promote health.

Driving commuter students are a stakeholder group that overwhelmingly believes that

commuting casts a negative shadow on their school day. The characteristics of this user group

are so similar that it is possible to present them in a composite character profile. First and

foremost, these driving students expressed disdain for traffic, pointing to it as their least favorite

aspect of commuting. It is a serious daily obstacle that drains their time, increases stress, induces

fatigue, and in some cases, takes away from class time. On the other hand, flexibility and

freedom are the best features of commuting for these students. While the commute of these

students usually does not take more than an hour, wary of traffic, they tend to leave home two

hours before their first class. Nevertheless, sometimes this daily precaution is not enough and all

interviewees recounted their own horror stories of missing classes. Moreover, some have been

involved in frightening accidents. When they finally get to campus, users stated that they lack

optimism for the day, accurately captured by the inability to find parking, right upon arrival.
 Commuters who use the daily DOTS shuttle route to and from Gaithersburg are another

stakeholder group. Riding the same bus, their experiences are so comparable that it is also

possible to introduce their experiences and perspectives in a composite character profile. These

students described that commuting partially offsets their positive optimism for the start of the

school day. Their commute takes around seventy-five minutes each way. While they expressed

that the bus itself is quite comfortable, the long lines to board it and the Gaithersburg stops lack

of accessibility are the worst drawbacks of commuting for these users. Furthermore, these

students, being passengers, stated that they are not irritated by traffic head-on, but it certainly

adds to their frustrations. Accordingly, our users take the bus that is two hours before their first

class to ensure that they get there on time. The horror stories that these students have shared all

revolve around having to wait for the bus in the rain or cold. Once they reach campus, they all

stated that while they lack a positive outlook for the day, the fact that they are dropped off in the

central location of Stamp does not hurt.

Working commuter students are the final user group that we interviewed. These commuters

include both drivers and bus riders. Collectively, they share similar characteristics. These

students work on campus in either research positions or in university jobs such as resident hall

assistants. Although they work only for a few afternoon hours on some days of the week,

working commuters have stated that they struggle with balancing class assignments and job

commitments. While these job commitments vary week by week, things like RA meetings and

lab conferences have been especially consuming for these users. They reported that they always

feel tired and overwhelmed following shifts. Additionally, they shared similar commuting

grievances with fellow drivers and bus drivers. However, they are particularly appreciative of the
flexibility to access the comforts of home, especially after draining shifts. Their horror stories

entail days that are a miserable cocktail of road delays, exams, and longer than average shifts.

Working students who drive reported completely lacking positivity each morning, while shuttle

students were slightly milder in their responses.

Moreover, from all our interviews, we gained the strong insight that virtually all users across all

stakeholder groups largely share the same experiences and perspectives on campus during their

free time in between classes and work. This enables a composite portrayal of them. First and

foremost, all commuters stated that they find a cozy chair in either Stamp or Hornbake Library to

wait until their first class. When asked why they pick these buildings, all users expressed that

they are very centrally located, with Stamp receiving the highest praise. After their first class

they return to the same exact spot, if its not already taken, and continue to stay there between

class and work.

When asked about how accommodating these areas are, all interviewees expressed the need for

more power outlets and chairs with small, sliding desks. However, they stated that their actual

seating provided them with physical comfort. In addition, commuter students have stated that the

noise and distractions in Stamp, a de facto library for them, are a big drawback. While they

occasionally check for updates on social media, all of these users have expressed that they do

their best to dedicate this free time to completing assignments, studying for courses, and

checking their email inbox.

Asking whether or not commuter interviewees frequent the gym during this free time produced a

chorus of No. Upon inquiring exactly why all these users avoid the university gym, they

unanimously expressed that they are usually too tired for the far walk to the gym. Nevertheless,
food is more accessible for these students. While a few of our interviewees stated that they bring

their own lunch, most get their lunch fare from Stamps food court. Despite the wide selection of

food in Stamp, interviewees largely expressed that this food does not energize them. They

explained saying that at Stamp, they tend to overeat with the large portions of food available or

consume too many fried foods and refined grains. In regard to student organizations, commuters

stated they are not able to participate in night meetings, since they tend to leave campus before

rush hour. As a result, these users expressed that they are not able to be active members of

student organizations and feel somewhat disconnected from the campus community.

Our commuter users have all stated that commuting back home is far less stressful for them.

While traffic is still a nuisance for them, they are no longer worried about being on time. When

commuters get home, they usually eat dinner and work on their studies for a couple of hours.

Most interviewees stated that they strive to sleep by midnight in order to be able to function the

next day.

When asked if they feel tired or lethargic throughout the school day, all interviewees responded

affirmatively. Explaining exactly what they believed to be the source of their tiredness,

interviewees overwhelmingly pointed to both the lack of sleep and exhaustive nature of their

commutes. Furthermore, when asked, interviewees expressed that they are not proud of their

sleep hygiene. They stated that they rarely get to experience the widely recommended eight

hours of sleep on school nights. Moreover, they expressed that they are not mindful as to exactly

how many hours of sleep they get each night. Horror stories that all commuters across all

stakeholder categories have shared are falling in sleep in class. In essence, we gained the insight

that commuters regard their sleep hygiene as tangled in a zero-sum game with the high demands
of commuting. When asked about how they view their weekends, interviewees asserted that they

consider them to be time for coping, rather than leisure. One interviewee put it frankly,

Opportunity to recharge from the week. Prepare for the next one. Accordingly, all users stated

that they use their weekends catch up on sleep and exercise. Not surprisingly, all of our

interviewees expressed that the last time they felt energized or refreshed was sometime

during the previous weekend. Additionally, they attributed the source of such positive feelings to

either one of two activities: ample sleep and exercise.

Having expressed the many difficulties associated with their nomadic life as commuters, students

still believe that its worth it. They point to saving money, home-cooked meals, not doing

laundry, and spending time with family as priceless perks. As for the pains of commuting, we

gained the insight that these students counter them by merely wielding the adage, This too shall

pass. They consider commuting as a discomfort to be tolerated, but one that will not last

forever. Therefore, they completely lack optimism for change or even slight betterment of their

quality of life. They have simply accepted that it is fine to start their school day completely

lacking refreshment, energy, and optimism.

While variables such as traffic, parking, and distances are unlikely to ameliorate, the ability to

cope with the strains of commuting remains important. Sleep occupies a large segment of the

promotion of comfort, energy, and tolerance of difficulty. According to the National Heart,

Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep deprivation can be defined as a condition that occurs if you do

not get enough sleep. This is a concept college students at the University of Maryland know too

well. Sleep is required for a foundation of good health and well being throughout your lifetime.

Although sleep is a basic human need, many prioritize completing other tasks and sacrifice sleep.
Sleep deficiency is a common and growing public health problem across the United States. In

fact, people of all age groups report not getting enough sleep. As part of a health survey done by

the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 7-19 percent of adults in the United

States do not get enough rest or sleep every day. In addition, the same study shows that 40

percent of adults report falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month.

To make matters worse, an estimated of 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic sleep

disorders. A 2014 study by the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, showed that the effect of

sleep deprivation on students academic performance is roughly equivalent to binge drinking and

drug use. However, academic performance is not the only aspect of health that is affected.

Studies show that sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart

disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. For

commuters, driver sleepiness is a frequent problem leading to serious car crash injuries and

death.

However in colleges across America, the sleep deprivation problem deepens. Many students find

it very difficult to balance school and a social life. According to the Huffington Post, students

express their concerns and experiences with statements like People dont really prioritize sleep

here. or I get this notion that sleep deprivation is a huge badge of honor. For students across

the country including the University of Maryland, losing sleep has become a norm and accepted

outcome of being a college student. On the other hand, commuters face bigger problems that cut

into their sleep time; juggling school, social life, traffic, and the dreaded long commutes

everyday.
 With commuters spending most of the day in sedentary positions during their commute,

in classes, and between classes, the lack of physical activity is also a prevalent issue in their

lives. As Thomas Jefferson precisely put it more than two hundred years ago, health must not be

sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong. Exercise prevents chronic

diseases, boosts energy, and increases blood flow to the brain (CDC). Additionally, endorphins

produced during exercise contribute to mental well-being (FamilyDoctor.org). Moreover,

stretching and meditation can increase circulation and combat stress (UMD Health Center).

Nutrition is vitally important to all people, and student commuters certainly do not pride

themselves on it. On campus, there is abundant access to sweetened drinks, refined grains, and

fried foods. All one has to do is to look at Stamp. However, only foods containing lean protein,

whole grains, high fiber, and vegetables truly provide energy for muscles and the brain (Center

for Young Womens Health). Moreover, simply staying hydrated throughout the day can balance

mood and improve memory (Active Beat). Above all, maintaining a balanced diet will make

people feel better during the day and sleep better at night. After all, the old proverb goes, you

are what you eat.

Ultimately, through empathizing and defining, we were able to receive accurate feedback

from our stakeholders in regards to their views and experiences with commuting and student

wellbeing. By consolidating our field and literary research, we were able to define our problem

to be finding an avenue of seeking refreshment and optimism amongst commuter students who

drive, work, and use public transport. Specifically, we were able to identify sleep as one of the

most salient factors in approaching the difficulties of commuting.

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