How should I spend a 2-hour daily commute?

September 9, 2010 7:46 AM

I've started making a long commute (1 hour each way) and am looking for a good way to spend all of that time. What do you do to make your commute worthwhile?

I'm not looking for music, exactly, but some way to spend that time. Books on tape might be a good option, for instance. I'm a college student who is commuting back and forth, and ideally I could find some way to use that time to learn about chemistry, biology, etc.

How are you spending your commute?

posted by Wanderboy to Education (16 answers total)

Did you see this question from a few days ago?
posted by John Cohen at 7:49 AM on September 9, 2010

Previously.
posted by torisaur at 7:49 AM on September 9, 2010

read. or draw in a sketch book. You can devour a surprising number of books by just reading during your commute.
posted by Geameade at 7:59 AM on September 9, 2010

are you driving or taking the train?
posted by KogeLiz at 8:02 AM on September 9, 2010

I tried laguage tapes and felt like a jerk chanting simple phrases while behind the wheel. I went back to listening to a pretty long list of podcasts.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:20 AM on September 9, 2010

Response by poster: I'm driving, which complicates things and limits the number of things I can do in the car. Sorry about missing those threads - amateur move.
posted by Wanderboy at 8:21 AM on September 9, 2010

If you are driving and don't want to listen to music, how many options do you have?? All there is is audio books.
posted by lakerk at 8:27 AM on September 9, 2010

There is another option besides music, podcasts, and audiobooks. It's talking to yourself. I have a one hour commute each way and when the radio gets monotonous (old car = no medai player other than over air radio) I talk to myself. I either talk through issues, problems, or other shit that is bugging me or when I am taking a class, I'll try to say out loud everything I remember learning (you know, like studying). You may look like a crazy person, but many would say you're crazy for making that commute anyhow. Also, you should try to listen to Car Talk if you get it on your local NPR channel. It'll help you keep your car from taking a beating from the commute. Remember to change your oil about every 6-8 weeks.
posted by WeekendJen at 8:41 AM on September 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

Mnemonic devices should become a new favorite study habit and work well while driving in the car. You should hear my song about the component parts of DNA!
posted by WeekendJen at 8:43 AM on September 9, 2010

You could get materials from The Teaching Company - essentially recorded lectures. They aren't exactly cheap, though.
posted by O9scar at 8:50 AM on September 9, 2010 [2 favorites]

I just finished the audio version of The Disappearing Spoon during my commute. Interesting and enjoyable if you're looking for something chemistry-related that isn't dry.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 8:54 AM on September 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

First of all, I have to represent for doing nothing. Don't underestimate it. Your commute is a golden opportuinity to have some alone and relatively quiet time. If you don't pray or meditate exactly, there is a benefit for being idle, letting your brain just unwind and process the day. Quiet time is becoming so rare these days, as is focused attention on just one thing at a time, like safe driving.

I have a colleague I admire (Buddhist, if that matters) who approaches his commute as spiritual practice. He treats his attentive, undistracted driving as kindness to himself and other drivers, making the road safer for everyone by Paying Attention (capitals intended). He also practices lovingkindness by Giving Space to other drivers. Moving out of the way, letting others go ahead wherever appropriate. The Right of Way cannot be taken, it must be given, and each time he does so he makes it an offering.

I haven't talked to that guy in over ten years, but I often think of him when driving even though my latest commute is about ten minutes.

But sometimes pressing responsibilities can make idleness stressful and not refreshing. You could get a digital voice recorder and record your lectures and record yourself reading the key points of your notes. The recording aloud what you've learned and the subsequent listening to those and the lectures will improve your retention of the material. So maybe that will save you some stress come exam time.

A voice recorder will also give you a way to record thoughts and "ohmygoshialmostforgots" without struggling with a pen and notepad.
posted by cross_impact at 8:57 AM on September 9, 2010 [5 favorites]

I've done Language Tapes a lot on the train / walk to work in the last 2 years and find it really great. (I dont' get why you'd feel like a jerk?- poster above.) I do it on the train chanting phrases (softly) all the time.

its amazing how much you can learn and remember by doing it every day.

I've done fragments of French, German, Italian, Russian, Turkish and Arabic in the last two years - based on my next holiday and it was generally quite invaluable as a tourist.
posted by mary8nne at 9:01 AM on September 9, 2010

My commute is only twenty minutes but reading is the best solution to pass the time. Sometimes I listen to podcasts.
posted by JJ86 at 9:57 AM on September 9, 2010

I take public transportation and rarely drive anywhere, and I like singing (but never in front of people), so whenever I get the chance to drive alone it is karaoke time like whoa. Often with the radio off, even, just singing whatever's in my head. I know this makes me look like a complete dorko on wheels, but it makes me happy.

If I had to drive to work, I'd probably research ways to improve my singing/speaking and use the commute as practice.
posted by Metroid Baby at 10:54 AM on September 9, 2010

Seconding the Teaching Company comment upthread - they tend to be expensive, but they also put every course on sale at least once a year with a fairly dramatic discount. Check their website periodically or ask for a paper catalog, and you'll be notified of the sales.

My local library allows us to check out audiobooks - digital files that expire after a set amount of time. I haven't tried it yet so I don't know how it works.

There are also audiobook rental services, if you don't want to splurge in an Audible.com membership, but they tend to be expensive enough that I prefer one of Audible's credits programs.
posted by telophase at 11:33 AM on September 9, 2010