Yowza,
I'm pretty lucky in my situation right now. I go to school about a mile away, so I can go in my regular clothes (sometimes I ride in my sheepskin slippers ha) I can shower/swim after the 6 miles to work, and hop on a train if my bike gets messed up or the weather is too intense afterwards. My parents threatened to kick me out if ride after dark without some serious lights for my bike!