What's his story?

[The Captain]

During my train ride to and from work I usually read my technical newsletters, discuss things with you folks, or people watch others on the train.

The past few days there has been a young man (I won't call him a boy - you'll know why in a minute) who gets on the same stop as I do, spreads out his textbooks on the seat in front of him, and studies or checks his homework until the train gets more crowded.  He then packs things up and pulls out a book and reads until we get to the train station.

He then goes to catch a bus to what I assume (from the hat he's wearing) a very well known college prep school.  An additional 30-40 minute ride from the train station.

So, if I'm right on this, this young man is commuting over two hours each way to attend a great school.  A great high school, the young man looks to be around 15-16 years old.

So I wonder what is his story.  I'll likely never know but I hope it's a successful one.

[chiver78]

I don't know what his story is, but I need to share a similar one about a group of kids I graduated HS with back in the 90s. these kids lived all around the city of Boston and would take a bus out to my sleepy suburb to come to school, join band and choir, and play on my HS's sports teams. I've caught up with most of them over the past couple years through the wonderfulness that is Facebook, and all are doing very well for themselves.

the bus would leave Boston at 5:30AM - they had to get themselves to the single pickup spot on-time. classes started at 7:30AM, went to almost 2. if these kids played sports, they weren't catching the late bus back in to town until almost 5pm on practice days, even later if there was a game. they were then dropped off at the same single point, to then turn around and go back home.

I don't even know if the METCO program is still around in MA, but it sure helped out a few of my classmates.

[NancysSummerSip]

I agree with you, Captain. Maybe he got a scholarship to the school, and the decision was made for him to sacrifice free time and commute (I'm assuming you live in an urban area, where public transit is likely cheaper/easier than someone taking him to school). Then again, maybe there is no one to take him. Parents working, perhaps only one parent. He might be working so hard, maybe to become the first in his generation to graduate from such a prestigious school.

I like his style, though. It cannot be easy spending all that time commuting, but he sure is putting it to good use.

[skubikky]

If you're in NYC and he's going to Stuyvesant or Bronx High School of Science or one other of the charter/specialty high schools, I think I read an article in the NYTimes about him.
When I was growing up in NYC, I knew a few kids(myself included) who trekked to Stuyvesant, BHSS or some other school from far out in the boroughs.
I lived way out in Queens and took the bus and train over an hour to a private high school in Manhattan.  Did just as this kid seems to be doing, studied and did homework on the train going home.

[whoisjohngalt]

Some people just have it in them....

[haapai]

I went to a prep school that assigned 2-4 hours of homework per night.  Trust me, the kid barely notices the length of his commute.  He might even turn down a ride by car that chopped his commute by a quarter if it cut into his study time. 

[The Captain]

Jan 9, 2014 14:31:03 GMT -5 skubikky said:

If you're in NYC and he's going to Stuyvesant or Bronx High School of Science or one other of the charter/specialty high schools, I think I read an article in the NYTimes about him.
When I was growing up in NYC, I knew a few kids(myself included) who trekked to Stuyvesant, BHSS or some other school from far out in the boroughs.
I lived way out in Queens and took the bus and train over an hour to a private high school in Manhattan.  Did just as this kid seems to be doing, studied and did homework on the train going home.

Nope.  Chicagoland area.

[alabamagal]

Well I live near a rural area, and it is not uncommon for kids to have to ride an hour on a public school bus.  I also know several people who would drive their kids 1 1/2 hours one way to go to a private school.

If he uses his time studying, seems like a reasonable thing to do.

My son spent 3 hours a school day at football practice, 4 hours when you considered break time after school, shower and travel time home.  When not in football season he did basketball and tennis which were less time consuming.  Not a whole lot different and the kid you mention probably better off long run than playing sports.

[The Captain]

It's (at least to me) a bit remarkable because we have a high population density and I know there are several schools which are closer.

How many adults would refuse to commute an hour to work, let alone two, and here is this "kid" quietly doing it every day.  I'm not sure if I would have done the same thing at his age.

[wvugurl26]

Some people have drive and determination. He has a plan and he sees the value in attending this school even though he commutes quite a way. Other people just want things handed to them on a platter.

[Deleted]

Like you Captain I am full of admiration for this young man. And like Stubikky, I did the same thing growing up in NY. 

This said, when you're in school (especially high school), it is for a finite period of time. Commuting 2 hours for a few years to go to a fantastic school is not the same thing as commuting 2 hours for decades for a job, especially when you also have a home to run, kids, etc. 

But I do admire him (I also admire my DS3 who commutes to a fantastic school, 1-1.5h each way.)

Also, remember, young people have more energy. 

ETA: Captain thanks to you, I just promised DS3 I'd pick him up from school every Wednesday (the day he gets out late). LOL.

[Tiny]

What's the difference between sitting on the train doing homework and doing it at home?

Yeah, he's got a long commute but it's not 2 hours of 'wasted' time each way.
Now, if he was DRIVING to school - say even for an hour door to door - that's pretty much 'wasted' time - he has to pay attention to driving - he can't sleep, do homework, read, watch vidoes, whatever.


I've had this conversation lots of times with people who would rather drive to work (an hour on a good day - up to 3 hours on a bad day) than get on a train.

Even today, it took me 2 hours door to door to get to work - I had to wait almost 55 minutes for a train. During those 55 minutes I had a cuppa joe, read a book, worked up a plan for the food I need to make/take to 2 pot lucks this weekend AND a check list of what I'm doing when I get home tonight so I can go shopping for an ingredients I don't have on hand... and then I read some more. Friend who drove basically just spent 2 hours getting to work.

[NancysSummerSip]

Jan 9, 2014 14:43:44 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Jan 9, 2014 14:31:03 GMT -5 skubikky said:

If you're in NYC and he's going to Stuyvesant or Bronx High School of Science or one other of the charter/specialty high schools, I think I read an article in the NYTimes about him.
When I was growing up in NYC, I knew a few kids(myself included) who trekked to Stuyvesant, BHSS or some other school from far out in the boroughs.
I lived way out in Queens and took the bus and train over an hour to a private high school in Manhattan.  Did just as this kid seems to be doing, studied and did homework on the train going home.

Nope.  Chicagoland area.

Sweet. We will be there in June. A week's vacation. I'll check with you beforehand on cool stuff to see and do. Oh, and nontouristy places to eat.

[The Captain]

Jan 9, 2014 15:33:10 GMT -5 Tiny said:

What's the difference between sitting on the train doing homework and doing it at home?

Yeah, he's got a long commute but it's not 2 hours of 'wasted' time each way.
Now, if he was DRIVING to school - say even for an hour door to door - that's pretty much 'wasted' time - he has to pay attention to driving - he can't sleep, do homework, read, watch vidoes, whatever.


I've had this conversation lots of times with people who would rather drive to work (an hour on a good day - up to 3 hours on a bad day) than get on a train.

Even today, it took me 2 hours door to door to get to work - I had to wait almost 55 minutes for a train. During those 55 minutes I had a cuppa joe, read a book, worked up a plan for the food I need to make/take to 2 pot lucks this weekend AND a check list of what I'm doing when I get home tonight so I can go shopping for an ingredients I don't have on hand... and then I read some more. Friend who drove basically just spent 2 hours getting to work.

I see your point.  The young man is standing on a train platform at 5:45 in the morning.  Now I know some student athletes get up that early, but in my experience most HS'ers would rather sleep in as late as they can .

Yes, the time is not "wasted" but again I think it's admirable the amount of disclipine he has given his young age (not even growing peach fuzz yet).

[The Captain]

Jan 9, 2014 15:40:24 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Jan 9, 2014 14:43:44 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Nope.  Chicagoland area.

Sweet. We will be there in June. A week's vacation. I'll check with you beforehand on cool stuff to see and do. Oh, and nontouristy places to eat.

Let me know.  I can definately recommend some great places to eat.

[NancysSummerSip]

Awesome. I am a freelance food writer, so the more offbeat, the better. I am not really interested in the tried-and-true, hip and cool spots. I'll eat weird stuff, up to a point. I'm looking for the places people have to search for, but would find worth the search.

[The Captain]

ohhhh!  A challenge!!!

Is there any type of food you won't eat?

[NancysSummerSip]

Jan 9, 2014 16:18:49 GMT -5 The Captain said:

ohhhh!  A challenge!!!

Is there any type of food you won't eat?

Deep dish pizza and hot dogs with neon green relish.

[wvugurl26]

Jan 9, 2014 16:03:53 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Jan 9, 2014 15:33:10 GMT -5 Tiny said:

What's the difference between sitting on the train doing homework and doing it at home?

Yeah, he's got a long commute but it's not 2 hours of 'wasted' time each way.
Now, if he was DRIVING to school - say even for an hour door to door - that's pretty much 'wasted' time - he has to pay attention to driving - he can't sleep, do homework, read, watch vidoes, whatever.


I've had this conversation lots of times with people who would rather drive to work (an hour on a good day - up to 3 hours on a bad day) than get on a train.

Even today, it took me 2 hours door to door to get to work - I had to wait almost 55 minutes for a train. During those 55 minutes I had a cuppa joe, read a book, worked up a plan for the food I need to make/take to 2 pot lucks this weekend AND a check list of what I'm doing when I get home tonight so I can go shopping for an ingredients I don't have on hand... and then I read some more. Friend who drove basically just spent 2 hours getting to work.

I see your point.  The young man is standing on a train platform at 5:45 in the morning.  Now I know some student athletes get up that early, but in my experience most HS'ers would rather sleep in as late as they can .

Yes, the time is not "wasted" but again I think it's admirable the amount of disclipine he has given his young age (not even growing peach fuzz yet).

I'm a grown adult and I don't want to be standing on a train platform at 5:45 in the morning. Yes, school is for a finite amount of time. I don't think that discounts the young man's maturity to realize a sacrifice now will pay off later. I'm sure he'd rather be in a nice warm bed at 5:45 instead of standing on a train platform in Chicago in the winter. Even if it is only for a few years, many kids wouldn't make that choice.

[The Captain]

Jan 9, 2014 16:21:37 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Jan 9, 2014 16:18:49 GMT -5 The Captain said:

ohhhh!  A challenge!!!

Is there any type of food you won't eat?

Deep dish pizza and hot dogs with neon green relish.

(I don't even know what to say to that, at least you didn't have italian beef taken for a swim on the list)

[Deleted]

The young man is standing on a train platform at 5:45 in the morning.

I didn't realize it was that early! Hats off to him, I hope his hard work and discipline pays off well. 

ETA: Hats off to you too Captain! That is REALLY early. 

[NancysSummerSip]

Jan 9, 2014 16:26:18 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Jan 9, 2014 16:21:37 GMT -5 NancysSummerSip said:

Deep dish pizza and hot dogs with neon green relish.

(I don't even know what to say to that, at least you didn't have italian beef taken for a swim on the list)

Oh, no, Italian beef is good stuff. Or will be, when I get there.

[Sunnyday]

I have nothing to add to the convo, but I love Italian beef.

So so good!!! I love the Giardiniera pepper mix.

why isn't it available outside of Chicago?

This is the only thing I miss from my time in Chicago, food wise.

The museums and architecture are pretty damn good.

[thyme4change]

Effort and wasted time is for youth.

Once you get to be an old hag like me you have to rely on experience to get anything done.  

[Apple]

That's cool that he is using the time well.

In high school, I was driven, and would have given anything to have a two hour commute where I could dedicate a large portion to homework/studying.  Instead, I walked home to a house full of little kids, expected to watch them, give snacks, clean up, help/make dinner, do dishes...  My mom did daycare at the time. 

Later, I had to walk to work (parents wouldn't let me get a license until I was 18).  After getting off work anywhere from 7-9, I'd walk home, do dishes, clean up, do homework, and finally go to bed after midnight.

His commute may actually be helping him escape a lot of distraction, not just "fun stuff".

[Apple]

I have a 45 minute commute now, most days I ride in a vanpool.  In the summer I can read a book, in the winter I can read a book on the kindle or mess around on my phone.  Some days I look forward to all the reading I can get in, other days I just want to be home NOW.

[The Captain]

Jan 9, 2014 21:58:24 GMT -5 @tbird said:

Jan 9, 2014 15:15:52 GMT -5 The Captain said:

It's (at least to me) a bit remarkable because we have a high population density and I know there are several schools which are closer.

How many adults would refuse to commute an hour to work, let alone two, and here is this "kid" quietly doing it every day.  I'm not sure if I would have done the same thing at his age.

wait - are you saying there are adults who don't commute and hour or more

No, we all know there are many that do so.  However there are many that refuse to go more than X number of minutes from their home (in fact some posters on this board) even when unemployed because it's too much of an inconvenience.

I know someone who turned down a job with an hour commute because it was too far for them to travel.  That was 5 years ago and that person now REALLY wishes they took that job then.  However when I offered them a job downtown they still refused (too long a commute) but they have a working spouse so are still staying above water (barely).

[The Captain]

Totally agree.  No kids involved, she just didn't want to have a commute (her old commute was 20 min )

[Deleted]

I also live in the chicago suburbs and have seen this.  Fenwick is in Oak Park and there are a ton of kids that take the train from the western suburbs to go there.  I knew one kid that wanted to go to Notre Dame and Fenwick was considered "a feeder school".  

But I also know that there are a lot of parents in the suburbs that go through great lengths to send their kids to St. Ignatius.  That would require a train ride downtown and then a bus ride.  

[Lizard Queen]

I think we forget that, when we look at people that turn down long commutes, money is just a means--not the end.  Money is the means to get a desired lifestyle, but what is the point if you have to put most of your life on hold for decades in order to achieve this?  What is the point of wasting 10+ hours of your life every week when the result is heart disease due to stress, lack of exercise and poor eating habits due to long hours getting to work, working and getting home?  We all have our own priorities and preferences.  Just because you may prefer money over time, not everyone should have to.