Do students who commute to campus do better in school than those who live on campus?

Students who commute to Cal State University Long Beach do better in school than those who live on campus, according to a recent poll, which calculates the average G.P.A of 45 commuters and 45 non commuters during their fall 2009 semester.

I approached students who live on campus at the Residence Dining cafeteria, and I approached students who commute to campus at the Student Union cafeteria. I also asked students for their G.P.A's through email. I did not ask them what grade level or major they were in, which may affect the results.

The common assumption is that students who live on campus are in social party mode, and that the students assume, because they live on campus, they will always have plenty of time to do their homework, whereas students who commute to campus take school more seriously and must be prepared for school before they leave home.

Students who live off campus explain their feelings about homework and campus life:

"I am positive if I lived on campus I would get better grades. The atmosphere at school makes it easier for studying," senior journalism major Stephanie Rivera said.

"I do more homework on campus because it feels more conducive to a work environment. I do a lot of work in the library because I need a computer or I work near a power source where I can use my laptop," sophomore film major Allan Tolkoff said.

"I lived in the dorms my freshman year and my G.P.A was 2.91. Since then, my cumulative G.P.A has raised to 3.33," junior communications major Michael Taylor said.

Students who live on campus explain their feelings about homework and campus life:

"I do all my homework [on campus]. My friends and I do homework together and work on projects together," freshman chemical engineer major Tauri Smith said.

"I find it difficult to study and do coursework in the on-campus housing, as there are no quiet places during the evening, which is when I have the most time available for my schoolwork," senior English major Bertrand Ithurburn said.