When I graduated high school, I was basically in a committed relationship with my car. I drove it everywhere— to school, to work, to my friends’ homes and to the park across the street. Driving was my stress relief, so when my dad told me there was no way I’d be able to bring it to Mizzou with me because my brother was going to start driving, I felt like a small part of my heart was being ripped away.
Okay, maybe I was just a bit dramatic as a high schooler, but I truly was worried about being the only person at college without a car. Little did I know how much not having a car my first two years of school would help me grow as an individual. If you are an incoming freshman worried about how you will survive without your trusted mode of transportation, I am here to impart some wisdom on alternative ways to get around and what you will learn by not relying on your vehicle.
Mizzou’s campus may seem large at first, but after a couple months, you’ll start to realize that it is extremely walkable. During my freshman year, I lived in Schurz Hall. I had classes in the journalism school, which was quite literally the farthest building from my dorm. The walk was only 0.8 miles though, so if I kept up a relatively fast walking pace, I could make it there in 15 minutes. Walking became my natural source of exercise, and I encourage it to become yours, too. I walk everywhere— to class, downtown and to meetings on campus.
Taking a walk is also my go-to for stress relief. On evenings when I need a break from studying, I’ll take a walk around Mizzou’s beautiful campus or on the MKT trail. Especially during your freshman year, it’s good to get acclimated to campus and downtown Columbia as you get adjusted to college life. And you’ll end up achieving your step-count goal very quickly.
If you need a change of pace from walking, or simply need to get somewhere quickly that is further away, consider biking! The best part? Mizzou has a program called Bike Share through the Environmental Leadership Office, which means you can check out a bike for free. There are two check-in and check-out locations. One is at the MU Student Center info desk and the other is in the Brooks/Southwest residence hall area. All you have to do is give a desk employee or desk attendant your student ID and they’ll exchange for the key to the bike’s lock. You can also check out a helmet for safety purposes. One of my favorite memories from the end of my sophomore year was when my friends and I took a break from studying for finals to go on a bike ride. It was a sunny afternoon with the perfect amount of breeze, and I felt so refreshed after taking a couple loops around campus. With this resource, you also don’t need to worry about bringing a bike to campus and wondering where to store it.
As much as I love walking or biking, there are some days where I’ve really need to get off campus. Whether I want to pick something up from Target or start to feel a little stir crazy, it’d be unrealistic of me to say that I do miss my car occasionally. When I have to get away, I reach out to my friends with a car. The first few times I did this, I felt awkward and burdensome. However, I realized that the people at Mizzou are generous and willing to help at all times. I’ve had friends drive me to the airport two hours away just to save me money for a shuttle or taken me for a 30 minute drive to play my music when I get overwhelmed. These drives have made me appreciate the luxury of a car and I plan on returning everyone’s favors when I have a car during my junior year.
I can’t say that navigating life without a car has been easy at all times, but I truly believe that it’s shaped my college experience. I’ve learned to not take Mizzou’s beauty for granted any time of year. Whether the leaves are green, red and orange or not there at all, there is no boring walk through Mizzou’s campus. By primarily walking or biking everywhere, I’ve found my secret shortcuts and favorite photo spots. Sometimes I’ll walk through these places when I have nowhere to go; the routine provides me with sense of comfort and the feeling of home.
Not to mention, my occasionally introverted self has really tapped into her extroverted side. I rode six hours with an acquaintance and exited the car with a new close friend. Most importantly, I’ve realized the privilege of having a car in a first place. I used to take it for granted that I had a car of my own at home. Some people go their entire lives without it and still manage to get everywhere they need to go.
If you aren’t bringing a car to school next year, don’t view it as a burden. I truly believe that part of the freshman year experience is learning about yourself and your surroundings outside of a vehicle, and that’s exactly what you are going to do!
- Shoshanna Dubnow, junior
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