By: Chhaya Néné (University of Miami)
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With classes starting soon, most people are making the long road trip down to school, that being said there are a couple of ways to make the trip easier and more sanitary.
1) Sensitivity
Long trips with families mean tension. This is unavoidable, so talk to your family before you start the trip, agree to be sensitive to each other’s needs and to be understanding when someone is feeling grumpy. It will save you from fights that may ruin your trip!
2) Space
If you are going to be making a long trip make sure you have enough leg room. It sounds simple but often times you’ll want to crowd as much as stuff as possible into your car… DON’T. Plan ahead as to what you absolutely have to bring down with you and what you can buy at school, that way you save space! You should also make sure you have enough room to push your chair back if you want to. This will allow you to relax if you need to and make the trip more bearable.
3) Bathrooms
Every time you stop at a rest area and have the use the toilet, think about how many people’s rear ends have sat on the toilet you are about to use… are you really going to sit down? Most rest areas provide a seat cover… if you don’t want to use the seat cover, at least squat or wipe the toilet seat with toilet paper first. You could even squirt a little hand sanitizer on the seat if you must sit!
School is important and it’s crucial to have a good start. If you follow these simple tips, then your trip to school with your family will be memorable (in a good way!) Good luck to all on those trips and time with family!
