How much can you stuff into your dorm room? Well, that depends on how you got to Bonas.
While some students can pack everything in their car, others need to be more conscious of luggage regulations.
Smithtown native Jennifer Eng, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major, flew out of New York City and into Buffalo, then took a bus to get to Olean and a taxi back to campus.
“The fact that I had to fly home made me pack a lot less. I only could check one bag and bring a carry-on bag, so I brought a big suitcase and a backpack. I had to make sure my suitcase weighed less then 50 pounds, so I wouldn’t get charged an extra fee.”
Even for students who could pack all they wanted, other obstacles were a challenge.
Mary Frye, a sophomore strategic communication and digital media major from Tonawanda, rode back to school in her mom’s car, so space wasn’t an issue, but when a snowstorm began early Sunday, they opted to leave home earlier to attempt to avoid bad driving conditions.
“I ran into a lot of snow near my house, but it cleared up as I got closer to school,” said Frye.
Students from downstate, like Eng, often take buses back to Bonas. Long Island native Kerry McCarthy said she paid about $140 round trip for a bus ticket.
McCarthy said she came back to school this semester like most students do: with more bags than she took home. Although she didn’t have the luxury of having her own car, she found a way to save space with her luggage.
“Since I took the bus I couldn’t bring that much luggage, so I had to modify it and figure out different ways to pack more in less space,” said McCarthy, a freshman physical education major. “I use the ‘rolling your clothes’ method and vacuum space bags in my suitcase, and I fit a lot more items than regular folding.”
Students have some time to remain still for a bit, but that inevitable trip home for the summer will send students into another packing frenzy.
Kolbee14@bonaventure.edu
