When you’re a commuter student, it can be easy to feel like you’re only on campus when you have class. You come to campus, go to class, maybe talk to a few friends, and then head home. That is an experience I lived, and it wasn’t until my junior year that I realized what I was missing out on.

Being involved in a community or space doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional time and effort. Looking back, I wish I had understood sooner how much getting involved could shape my college experience. Getting involved has helped me feel more at home on campus, build meaningful friendships, and become more connected to the Spring Arbor community. More importantly, it has revived my passion for Christ and encouraged me to pursue ways to further His Kingdom. There are a multitude of things I practice to stay involved, but here a few have been especially impactful.

Finding Community Through Involvement
I joined the marketing department as a student worker during my junior year. Through this job, I’ve made new friends and had the opportunity to serve at student events that help strengthen the community on campus. Not only have I made meaningful connections, but the experience has also strengthened my resume and helped me build skills that I can use in my future career.

During my senior year, I also joined SGA, where I’ve met many amazing people. Our goal as a team is to enhance the student experience through fun activities, events, and opportunities for students to connect. Being involved in organizations like these has shown me that getting involved isn’t just about adding something to your schedule, but about finding ways to contribute to the community around you.

You Can Be a Commuter and Still Find Community
It can be easy to assume that students who live on campus automatically have more opportunities to build community. As a commuter, I’ve definitely felt the difference, but I’ve also learned that living off campus doesn’t mean you have to ‘live outside’ of the community. It may require more intentionality, but there are plenty of ways to make Spring Arbor feel like a place where you belong. On campus, there are so many opportunities to meet people, serve others, grow in your faith, and create memories. You just have to be willing to make that move. 

Simple Ways to Get More Involved
If you’re a commuter student, (or even a student who simply wants to become more connected!) here are some things you can try:

Find a community

  • Join a club, group, or Bible study.
  • Get involved in an SAU sports team.
  • Attend campus events and activities.
  • Make plans with friends who live on campus.
  • Be willing to attend an event or activity by yourself. You may meet someone new!

Make campus part of your routine

  • Stay on campus after classes instead of immediately heading home.
  • Pack a lunch or purchase a meal plan so you can eat on campus.
  • Study or complete homework in the library, or any campus spaces.
  • If you exercise, consider working out at the MAC.
  • Make an effort to attend chapel.
  • Plan for a day on campus- make sure you pack everything you’ll need

Opportunities to serve, work, and grow

  • Consider getting an on-campus job.
  • Explore on-campus internship opportunities
  • Look into student leadership roles (like SGA, OIR, Spiritual Life Team, etc.)
  • Explore opportunities where you can use your interests and skills to serve others.

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that getting involved sometimes means being willing to go somewhere without your friends.Don’t limit yourself to the same few people because they’re comfortable. Be willing to meet new people, try something different, and put yourself in situations where connections can happen.Your attitude and willingness to step outside your comfort zone can have a huge impact on your college experience. You can’t always control what opportunities come your way, but you can control whether you’re willing to participate in them.

Don’t Wait to Get Involved!
Ultimately, getting involved has only further improved my experience at Spring Arbor University in ways I didn’t expect. It has helped me build friendships, discover opportunities, serve others, and grow in my faith. I had to make the decision to stay, participate, and get involved. Don’t wait until your junior or senior year to find your community. Start now. Stick around after class. Go to that event. Join the club. Sit next to someone new in class. Use your talent to serve others. Because being a commuter may mean you have to be more intentional about finding community, but it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on it.

 

Written by SAU Marketing student Kaytie Warren '26.

 

A dark-haired woman with curly hair, dressed in white, standing in front of a tree

 

Kaytie Warren

Hey Cougs! My name is Kaytie Warren, and I’m in my senior year here at Spring Arbor University, studying Marketing with a minor in Graphic Design. I work in the Marketing Department, where I help with social media coverage and a variety of marketing projects. I’m also involved with SGA here as a graphic designer, creating content to help get the word out about campus events and help develop student connections! Although I’m a commuter from right here in Jackson, I’ve found myself involved with many things on campus and keep pretty busy with 3 jobs! I’ve loved being part of the Spring Arbor community, and I hope to capture what makes this place so special in everything I create!