Who cares if students sleep on transit system?

I would encourage Miranda Nelson to consider the life of many students [“Students, please sleep when you’re not on the bus”, web-only]. I am taking a full course load while working part-time to pay for rent, food, bills, and the occasional flight home. There’s not much room for extra expenses like alcohol or eating out.

I am privileged in that my parents pay for my tuition; this isn’t the case for all students. I go to bed around the same time every night as she suggests and sleep around eight hours a night; sleep for me is always more important than cramming for exams.

Nelson’s overgeneralization of students as alcohol-, caffeine-, and smoke-imbibing people who party too hard and stay up late playing video games is not helpful. I know students who travel from Maple Ridge or Ladner to UBC every weekday. That means numerous hours on transit. Does Nelson really expect them to balance all of their responsibilities and stay awake for their whole trip on transit?

If Nelson wants someone to stop invading her space, she should choose another seat, or better yet, ask them. Maybe even ask them about their day. Maybe then she will have compassion for their situation, as she really can have no idea about the challenges they may be facing.

> Tamara Brown / Vancouver

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