While people may joke at times about how many of our students are privileged enough to drive cars, including ones fancier than those that staff can afford, this is definitely not the case for all students. The library, for instance, often serves as a sanctuary for those students who depend on family members to drive them to school on the way to and from work. There are students who are here long before their classes start and long after their formal day ends. When talking with campus supervisors, they also attest to these students finding other spots of refuge across our campus, and I know many teachers kindly keep their doors open for these students, as well.
Returning to the public transportation web search that I opened with, the student was seeking a way to get to Grossmont College after school to meet an adviser there to help her pick courses. As a highly motivated senior, she will be starting her college coursework during the summer semester, at the same time that she participates in her final senior year activities.
When using the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's Trip Planner, the first route recommended had a trip time of 1 hour and 10 minutes. Of course, 51 minutes of the time was via walking, and so the student tried to find a way that would not require the 2.3 mile hike.
The alternative route allowed her to avoid so much walking, but then the trip time was 1 hour and 38 minutes.
In the end, the student decided to opt for the second route. Far from being efficient, this journey is an example of how something that should be simple can be a lot less so when students don't have the most effective resources at their disposal. A trip that should only be a 9 minute drive is multiplied ten times over!
Admirably, if this student has anything, it is definitely determination. In this example, and in life in general, I don't worry about where she will end up. I can tell she's right on track, even when the route is sometimes challenging along the way.
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