Commuting Life

Valana Theorine is another digital media major here at Gulf Coast State College. The drive from home to campus takes her an hour. She travels to campus about three to five days a week. Valana feels that the enjoyable views that come with the long ride make it relaxing. Good music and podcasts are another added benefactor that helps her to collect herself before she gets to work or school. When Valana listens to podcasts or news it can make her get too into her head and if the topic upsets her, it ruins her day. She doesn’t mind driving and is confident in her skills as a driver. It’s safe to say that the drive for her is fun most of the time. 

Valana has great positives for the long commuting, but that does not mean she doesn’t have any negatives to come with it. Valana’s drive leads her all the way out of town. Since she lives far out it makes it hard for her to want to come into town. Not to mention that Valana has to move her schedule around to avoid the traffic. The beautiful scenery can be awesome, but the weather can ruin that view and make the drive even longer. Since Valana has to drive such a distance, the chances of her getting in an accident are much higher, since she is on the road longer. She goes to her destination and back with no joyrides or unplanned stops. She says she does not have a lot of financial freedom, because of the $10-20 in gas it takes just to get to Panama City, but she does okay.

Hardworking Student

Valana is currently working on moving into town and these reasons play a big role in why. She would enjoy campus living, but since she is married that would not be an option. Valana told me that the college she used to attend had some rental properties, apartments, and houses close to campus for the students. The college that did that let them bring family members into the properties too. She would do that if they had that option at Gulf Coast, but would not qualify for a dorm. 

In conclusion, Valana likes the drive on the days with nice weather in the daylight and fewer people on the road. She is an excellent hardworking student with a longer commuting time than most but makes it work. 

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