For many Jersey College students, living in Chattanooga or in surrounding towns like Athens, Etowah, or Dayton makes commuting to the Cleveland campus an everyday reality.

Most students who commute find the journey manageable thanks to early start times, flexible class schedules, and easy access from major highways. Arriving early allows students to avoid most traffic, and many use the time to set themselves up for a successful day.

Carly, who travels from Etowah, puts it this way:
"My 40-minute commute from Etowah, TN, to school is absolutely worth it. The drive gives me time to prepare and decompress. It's a small price for pursuing my passion and investing in my future. Each mile reminds me of my goals and the rewarding career I'm working towards."

Students find creative ways to make the most of their drive. Listening to recorded lectures, podcasts, or YouTube study guides can turn the car ride into productive time. Some enjoy the peaceful start to the day, sipping coffee and gathering their thoughts before class begins.

 If you’re worried about losing time, student experiences show that your commute can actually become an asset.

Thaddeus from Athens explains:
"I live 30 minutes away from Jersey College. I leave my house fairly early in the morning meaning there isn’t much traffic during my commute. During that time, I can listen to recorded lectures provided by the school. Commuting to school is not an issue for me."

Courtney, who commutes from Dayton, agrees:
“I live in Dayton, TN so it takes about roughly 45 minutes to get to class. I enjoy the drive, I have time to sip on my coffee and really prepare for the day ahead of me. It is so worth it and the staff there makes it even better.”

Students often say they chose Jersey College for its supportive environment, career-driven curriculum, and the welcoming community on campus. The extra travel is a small trade-off for high-quality faculty, clinical opportunities, and programs that prepare students for nursing careers in Tennessee and beyond.

Ginny, who comes from Chickamauga, comments:
"I am a 2nd semester student at Jersey College in Cleveland Tennessee. I live an hour away from campus in Chickamauga and travel 3–4 days out of the week to attend classes. My experience at Jersey College is worth every mile that I drive, it has been a blessing!"

Solomon, commuting from Cartersville, says:
"I'm in my fourth semester now. I commute from Cartersville GA, 80 miles and 1 hour 30 minutes drive. I use the time to listen to YouTube videos and recorded lectures. The weekly practicum and hospital residency is the reason for my choice of the program."

Based on the experiences of current students, here are some tips for making your commute as smooth as possible:

• Try prepping for your day during the drive, either by listening to course materials or simply getting mentally ready.
• Leave early to avoid heavy traffic (most students say mornings are easy when they start early).
• Take advantage of coffee, music, or podcasts to turn your commute into relaxing me-time.
• Use drive time as a chance to review lessons or decompress after class.

Current students prove that attending Jersey College Cleveland is entirely possible for commuters, whether you live 30, 60, or 90 minutes away. Many say the trip becomes “worth it” once you see how the campus, instructors, and programs support your goals as a future nurse.