Drive to campus. Find parking. Go to class. Walk back to parking lot. Drive home. Repeat.

It's a schedule that's familiar to many college students who don't live on campus, but commute to school. And according to Rutgers University experts, it is also a pattern that – if not broken – can leave a student feeling isolated from the rest of the college world.

"They struggle with the sense of belonging to the college or university because they're not a resident student that lives here," said John Leoniak, assistant director of student commuter services at Livingston College, Rutgers University in Piscataway. Many student commuters live at home with their parents or in an apartment off campus.

By mere physical location, resident students can easily immerse themselves in college life, walking from their dorm to meet friends at a poetry reading, lecture, concert or corner diner. But, for student commuters, college is a very different, sometimes lonely experience. Here are some of the issues this mobile population faces and tips from Rutgers commuter advisors on how to fight the commuter blues:

FUZZY SLIPPER SYNDROME: "Commuters will say they'll come back for that lecture and don't," Wittman said. "Can't say anyone could blame them when they have to face traffic twice on the same day."

·  You really have to work at it, but slip into traffic instead of something cozy. Over time, you'll be warm and fuzzy about the symposium or cultural dance that made you feel more connected to your college.

·  Read everything that's given to you – fliers, notices, etc. – and make every effort to make it to the event that's begging your attention.

FRIENDS. WHAT FRIENDS?: "Making lasting or instant connections to the college community is a major challenge for commuters," said Leoniak. "It may be difficult to interact and it takes them a little longer to run into the same faces.

·  Get involved. The more clubs or organizations you join or events you attend, the more avenues you have to meet and converse with peers.

·  Hang out at the commuter lounge. Many universities or colleges have areas that serve as a "home away from home" for commuters, complete with comfortable furniture, televisions, and kitchenettes. In between classes, you can meet other students there who have at least one thing in common with you. Some colleges, like Livingston College at Rutgers University in Piscataway, even offer commuter programs that organize activities ranging from monthly luncheons to karaoke and masseuse days.

PART-TIME MAY MEAN NO TIME: "Students who commute are much more likely to have a part-time job and they don't see the conflict until it destroys their grade point average or realize they're not getting much out of their college experience as they could," Wittman said.

·  Unless it's a financial necessity, you may want to reconsider that part-time job. Getting good grades and being a part of college life outside the classroom takes time and effort which a part-time job can demand.

READY, SET, PARK: "This is actually one of the biggest challenges for commuters because it involves timing and trying to figure out when you should come and when others are leaving," said Wittman.

·  Set up a game plan for parking, which involves knowing when and where to park your car to get to class on time. Familiarize yourself with back up routes in case of traffic jams and be aware of alternate parking areas if lots are full.

·  Wear comfortable shoes. Commuters do a lot of walking.

·  Allow a lot of time for your commute. It's a lot less stressful and you may have time for that cup of joe at a popular college hang out.

Bottom line in avoiding the isolation trap many commuters fall into – put away the fuzzy slippers. "No one is going to pull you off that couch and tell you, ‘Come on, you're going to that jazz concert,'" said Wittman.

"You really have to be pro-active and take advantage of all the opportunities that are presented to you," said Leoniak. "Making the extra effort to get involved will help you get the most out of your college experience."