How to Make the Most of Your Commute
Yasmeen Hughes, MAMC ‘26, participated in CJCxNYC Immersive Fall 2025.
Everyone has a commute. Whether you’re heading to work, meeting friends, or going to an event in the city, there’s always some form of travel involved. In NYC, it might be a walk, a train ride, a ferry, or a bus. There is constantly a stretch of time when you are in transit to the next place with no idea on how to spend that time. It’s easy to scroll through TikTok or zone out and do nothing at all. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need, but there are so many other ways to make that time more meaningful.
One of my personal goals for the CJCxNYC was to make the most of every moment I had. For me, I felt the emptiest on my fifty-minute train rides (each way), with nothing but TikTok to fill the gap. I was angry because I thought I was losing precious time when I could have spent it at home getting things done. However, I ended up turning my morning routine into my train routine and my commute became more than just wasted time. It became a productive time where I could feel content with myself.
I realized that my commute was the perfect time to consume the media I was already consuming in my free time. I wanted to read Substack, tackle the books on my TBR list, stay updated on news, and catch up on all my favorite podcasts. There were so many ways I could digest my daily dose of information, already engraved in routines in the morning and night. Instead of squeezing in a few pages before I fall asleep, I could read on the train and focus on getting to bed once I got home. My commute gave me a chance to reconnect with the content that matters most.
Listening to Podcasts & Audiobooks
On the days when I just need to stare out the window, audiobooks and podcasts are my go-to. They let me tap into the news and reset my mindset for the day. I can stay motivated and entertained without the pressure of reading just yet.
Some podcasts that have grounded me include Everyday Better with Leah Smart, She’s So Lucky by Les Alfred, and Trying Not to Care by Ashley Corbo. These podcasts carried me through tough moments and made it feel like I was listening to a voice memo from a friend.
Reading Books
The commute eliminates the excuses for not reading or having “no time to read.” No more cramming in ten pages before bed or dragging a book around without ever opening it. Instead, it’s the perfect time to destress and escape into the story.
Over the past ten weeks, I’ve finished four books thanks to my 45 uninterrupted minutes of reading time. At home, all the distractions pile up, but on the train, it is just dedicated reading time I set out.
Staying Up to Date with News & Substack
Substack has become an extremely important space for culture and information. Creators can publish newsletters, podcasts, and essays that go beyond celebrity gossip. Writers are sharing recipes, cafes to remote work from in the city, and advice on how to get over your ex. It’s knowledge that builds community and commuting is the perfect time to digest it all.
While learning about agency life through the CJC program, I discovered a variety of new companies and ideas. Reading Substack and other news outlets gave me the confidence walking into agencies, knowing I was up to speed on both pop culture and industry trends.
Talking to Strangers
Speaking of community, small conversations with other commuters can be surprisingly meaningful. Asking them what stop they’re getting off at or where they’re headed can spark unexpected connections that brighten both your day and theirs. This is obviously within reason since not everyone should be approached on public transport.
Learning how to “cold open” a chat on the train made me more comfortable networking later. It is so hard to start talking to people but once you do, you don’t know why you didn’t try sooner. When it came time to talk to people at brand activations for my creative project, I did it with confidence.
Make the Most of the Commute
All of this is to say that you have a choice in how you spend your time. Commutes don’t need to be boring. They can get you started for the day and wind you down at the end of the night. Instead of feeling behind, you can regain those minutes and make the most of your commute.
Category: CJCxNYC Blogs, Student Author
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