The Commuter Advice Panel

Dear Commuter,

I need some advice. I’m interested in taking public transportation but I find it intimidating and a bit scary. What should I do?

Signed,

Too Chicken to Ride

Dear Too Chicken to Ride,

Trying new things can be very intimidating and downright scary but that shouldn’t prevent you from giving it a try. Try to reframe the way you see it. Instead of thinking to yourself, “I’m afraid.” Replace the thought with, “I’m excited!” This should trick your brain into turning those nervous butterflies into eager anticipation. Public transportation shouldn’t be too great a challenge to learn. NCC is a stop on the LantaBus route and it’s located right behind Penn Hall. I would suggest taking a walk over there and seeing all the students that use the bus. There are plenty of them. Try to spark up a conversation and ask about what it’s like. You can also go online to lantabus.com to see the routes schedule and fares. There’s even an app you can download to keep track of your bus en route to ensure you won’t be late for class. Taking public transportation will help you to get around the city. If you commute to campus regularly you won’t have to worry about finding a parking spot – which could be the best personal benefit of all! Who knows, it may even create new opportunities as you become more familiar with the area and see places you never knew were there. The bottom line is – try not to let fear hold you back and focus on your goals. “Keep your courage up and it will keep you up.” – I got that line from a fortune cookie!

All the Best,

The Commuter Advice Panel

Dear Commuter,

My best friend and I have been friends since elementary school. We have always been inseparable and we usually do everything together. We even work together! This past summer, I found myself in a relationship with her older brother. I can’t explain how it happened. It just happened. Her and her brother do not get along at all. They are always arguing and fighting. To the point where they would throw things at each other. However, I can’t seem to tell her, so we’ve been dating behind her back. How do I tell her?

Signed,

A Worried Bestie

Dear Worried Bestie,

The best thing to do is to just rip the band-aid off. Either way, your best friend will find out and it’s better that it comes from you rather than her finding out from someone else or she happens to see you two together one day. You should talk it out with her if it seems to upset your best friend, get to the bottom of it and try to understand each other’s perspective. You made it from Elementary school all the way to college together. That is a very rare and precious friendship that can continue to grow if given the proper tools. Honesty is one of them and understanding is the other. At the end of the day, your friendship should still be a consideration but know your boundary.

Happy Sailing,

The Commuter Advice Panel