Day 1: So it's the weekend before school starts, I've just moved into the dorms and I don't know anyone. Not only that, but I'm stuck here with NO car. I'm bummed out — I'm used to being able to come and go as I please. OK, who am I kidding? This is torture. Yesterday at this time, I would have been getting ready to go hang out with all my friends. Today, I'm stuck here alone.
Day 2: Today was a little bit more bearable. It turns out that all UNL students get a free StarTran bus pass good throughout the school year. My friend Kristi, who's also living on campus without a car, and I figured "why not try it out?" After all, it's the weekend before school starts and we don't have anything else to do. I'm not going to lie, the bus schedules are confusing. First, we got onto the wrong bus that headed as far north as you can go. Then we had to wait 30 more minutes for another bus to come to take us back where we started. When we finally ended up where we began, we had to wait another 20 minutes to get on the right bus. We reached the mall eventually and were able to experience our first Lincoln city bus ride.
Day 30: It looks like I'm not the only one stuck on campus without a car. Turns out, a lot of people living on campus don't have them. With so many people living on campus (in the dorms and greek houses), there's usually something to do. For instance, last weekend there was a big dance at the union. It was great to get to meet different people from out of town; after all, now we live within walking distance of each other. I met a few girls from smaller towns in Nebraska and even someone from California. There are also lot of different things to explore downtown, which is only a few blocks from campus. Downtown Lincoln has restaurants, a movie theater, art galleries, cool shops and just about every weekend, there's some type of concert going on at the Bourbon Theatre.
Day 72: Recently, I've been more bummed about my car situation. It's so frustrating when I need to go somewhere, like to get more toothpaste, or if I want to go to the mall. It's especially irritating to have to rely on your parents, who live all the way across town. They don't always have time to come get you whenever you need to go somewhere. I'm just thankful I'm not from out of state — then I would really be without a ride.
Day 96: School has been taking up so much of my time lately, I haven't had time to dwell on the fact that I can't come and go as I please. With going to class, studying, doing homework and taking time to, you know, eat, sleep and shower, I've been pretty swamped. Maybe it's a good thing I don't have a car on campus. If I did, I know I would definitely be tempted to go out more or just drive around as a means of procrastination, something I used to do in high school.
Day 108: Well I've pretty much gotten used to my situation, and I'm OK with it. At times, it really does suck, of course, but I've realized with how many people there are on campus, someone is bound to have a car and probably doesn't mind you tagging along. I've also been really thankful for my friends that live off campus who have been willing to come get me on the weekends. I've got to admit, it's kind of nice not having to waste money on gas or just to drive, period. Driving has never been something I enjoy doing, it's just been a necessity — if I wanted to go somewhere, I had to drive myself there. Although, I've come to realize I would much rather be a passenger.
Day 212: The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and I've realized I'm getting more sad than excited. It's going to be a big change moving back home after living in the dorms all year. I always thought when the school year ended, I would be ecstatic to move home and have my car back. It's completely the opposite, though. I've had a great year at school, and it wouldn't have been what it was if I had had a car. Not having a car forced me to explore things I otherwise might not have, such as making friends with people who live on campus as well and using my resources on campus or downtown. Not having a car also forced me to take the time to study and do well in school. Perhaps not having a car on campus was a blessing in disguise.
Gabrielle Lazaro is junior news-editorial major. Reach her at opinion@dailynebraskan.com
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