Alessia Loperfido has always wanted to attend career events at the Shidler College of Business, but her routine of commuting prevents her from making the most of on-campus opportunities.
“Commuters don’t have as much freedom to participate in events or be as spontaneous, compared to students living on campus,” said Loperfido, a third-year University of Hawai’i at Mānoa student. “Shortly after my class finishes at 11:45 a.m., I drive to Kaka’ako and work until 8:30 p.m.”
Loperfido’s drive from Kapolei takes 40 to 60 minutes. So for Loperfido, the journey isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about optimizing every moment, from an early parking strategy to managing time for studies before work.
While others may enjoy living on campus rather than driving, Loperfido has learned to make her commute work for her, shaping a college experience centered around time management and convenience.
“I leave at least an hour and a half before my class starts to avoid being late,” Loperfido said. “I usually listen to my favorite artists, such as Brent Faiyaz, to pass the time and put me in a better headspace.”
A critical part of Loperfido’s strategy is arriving early to secure a parking spot in Zone 20. Because she lacks a permit for the UH Mānoa parking structure, she is not guaranteed a spot. She knows the importance of planning ahead, which allows her to avoid extra stress when getting to campus.
“Zone 20 gets full around 11:30 a.m., so I arrive beforehand,” Loperfido said. “But if it is full, my backup plan is to park at the meters by Shidler.”
Commuter Services said the parking structure is full most often around 10 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Loperfido deliberately arranges her class schedule to avoid early mornings and the worst traffic. This helps her make the most of her time and ensures she doesn’t have to sacrifice sleep.
“I chose classes later in the day, like my 10:30 a.m. class, so I don’t have to wake up at crazy hours and can miss the early rush,” said Loperfido. “I sleep in a little longer and get a better start to my day,”
Loperfido also makes sure to be alert and take advantage of her time on campus before leaving.
“After my classes, I’ll usually grab lunch at Paradise Palms because food before driving helps me stay more awake,” said Loperfido. “And when I have time, I also try to finish all my assignments on campus before I leave.
The demanding balance of school, work, and commuting leaves little time for extracurricular activities or socializing, which she acknowledges is a sacrifice. But the financial flexibility that comes with avoiding campus housing costs allows her to allocate funds elsewhere.
“Commuting is much more affordable,” Loperfido said, pointing out that she doesn’t need to pay for dorm costs or meal plans. “Saving thousands makes the drive completely worth it. The money I save lets me invest and travel during breaks.”
Other commuters to UH Mānoa agree with Loperfido that commuting helps develop useful skills.
“Driving to campus and back has helped grow my organizational skills,” said Cecile Selinger, a sophomore at UH Mānoa. “I have to plan things out, to ensure a better drive.”
As Loperfido gets closer to graduation, she reflects on how commuting has shaped her perspective on university life. Her college experience has been more centered on her studies, than campus life, but she doesn’t mind.
Despite commute challenges, she remains committed to making the most of her studies at UH Mānoa. For Loperfido, every mile on the road is an opportunity to save money, maintain her time management skills, and prepare for the future.
“The commute from the west side can be a hassle sometimes, but it’s worth it for the life lessons I’m learning,” Loperfido said.