Dear Brenda Bluejay, 

Should I bring a car over fall break? I just started here as a freshmen and I am not sure if it’s worth it. So far, I have just been using Uber and people or friends with cars to get around, but that can get a little annoying. Parking passes can also be really expensive and I would like to cut costs were I can. I have gotten really mixed messages from upperclassmen that I know about the topic. Some say it can help you make friends in college and some say it makes it harder! Is it worth paying the price for the convenience? 

Let me know.

-Concerned about Cars

Hi Concerned about Cars,

Good question! I asked a few friends for their thoughts on this. I learned that a lot of this decision is based on your personal situation. As for friends, you can makes friends either way by driving people around or asking around for rides!

If you’re from Nebraska or somewhere relatively close: Yes, I think it is worth it. If you’re within close driving distance of your home, you’ll get enough use out of your car for the cost of the parking permit. My friend from Nebraska says that if you drive home consistently, it will be much easier than asking your family to give you a ride every time you want to go home. It can be extremely tedious for both you and your family.

If you’re from more than a few hours away from Omaha: Hold off and bring a car your sophomore year. My friend from Minnesota gives third reasons why this is the best decision. 

First, gas can be expensive and the drives can be long. This can be remedied if you find someone to drive up with you to your state. It could be fun to bring a roommate or find someone from your home town!

Second, not having a car freshmen year encourages you to stay on campus and get more involved here. There are a lot of opportunities on campus so it can be kind of fun to see what Creighton has to offer. While it can be annoying to not have your own car, reach out to people on your floor, your classes and your RSP!

Third, be sustainable! Like I mentioned, long trips like those can really use a lot of gas. A really great alternative if you’re looking for a way to get just around campus and Omaha, get a bike! I got mine from the Gifford Park Community Bike Shop. You can volunteer with them to fix up one of the bikes that has been donated there and then you get to keep it for free. They are super friendly and have a great selection of bikes. While campus isn’t huge, it can be nice to zoom around campus on a bike and you can get to nearby restaurants and get some exercise while you’re at it! Just remember to buy a bike lock!

There a few solutions Creighton offers for students who don’t bring their car. Creighton offers a motor coach service to the Twin Cities for Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring breaks. The cost is $110 round-trip and $55 one-way. Creighton also offers shuttles around campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. 

If you’re still torn, see how things go this semester and decide over Christmas break!

Thanks for reaching out. 

Keep Flying, 

Brenda Bluejay