Decide what type of transportation you will use to commute to school. If you are close enough to make use of a public bus or subway system, explore different options for these. Check to see if the public transportation is free or discounted to students with a valid student ID. Explore monthly pass options or determine daily fare rates if you only need to commute a few days a week. Choose the most economical option for your commuting schedule.
Carpool if possible. Check to see if anyone in your area needs to commute as well and work out a schedule with each other. This saves money on gas and parking.
Explore parking options. If you choose to drive to school, you will need somewhere to park your car. Check to see if there is free parking in the area or buy a parking permit if your college offers one for commuter students. Some colleges may have special parking lots designated for commuter students.
Determine your best travel route. If you live in a location that offers a choice of several different routes to get to your school, try each of them until you find one that best suits your schedule. Keep in mind the time of day you will be traveling, and account for rush hour if necessary.
Leave early. Until you settle into a routine and know how long your commute will take, leave early enough so that you will not be late for your classes. Leaving early will also let you gauge how quickly a parking lot fills up and how easy it will be to find a parking spot at the time of day you arrive on campus. If your parking lot is still a distance from campus and you need to take a commuter bus, account for this travel time as well.
Test your commuting options each semester. If you drive to school, be sure to leave early on the first few days of new classes. You will have to readjust your commute to your new schedule and relearn details about your parking lot, such as how easy it will be to find a parking spot when everyone's schedule changes and they begin to arrive on campus at different times.