For many students, choosing between living on campus and commuting is a tough choice. In this article, I’ll explore how I knew commuting was right for me and what you need to know about commuting to university.
Why commute?
There were a few factors influencing my decision to commute:
- It is more cost-effective for me.
- Staying with my family is another big reason to commute, missing my mum’s home-cooked meals is out of the question!
- I see my friends at home at the weekend whilst still spending time with my friends on campus during the week.
My commute
I live in Surrey, about an hour and a half away via train. I have a 16-25 Railcard which makes travelling into London more affordable.
Time Management
A unique benefit to a longer commute is being able to use the time however you want to!
I use it to my advantage, tackling small tasks I need to do for my classes: I listen to podcasts related to my modules, complete my reading, and practice for any presentations. On the way home, I can relax and unwind, listening to music.
Challenges
Using public transport can be tricky. It’s always good to keep track of any potential delays. I try to leave early so that I have some extra time, just in case.
Resources
The calm environment on campus helps me focus and achieve more so I can relax when I get home.
I prefer studying in the library and using the resources we have on campus, but at home I can use the online resources on Moodle or the library website.
Facilities
Roehampton has amazing facilities that make my commute less complicated.
A well-equipped kitchen with a microwave, sink, and fridge makes a long day on campus more comfortable. Having lockers on campus makes it easy to store my belongings safely!
Socialising
A big concern for a lot of commuters is missing out on the ‘university experience’.
I was also worried about that, but I found as soon as classes started, I was surrounded by friendly and welcoming people. I also made plenty of friends at all the freshers events.
Joining a society is another great way to get involved. No matter what you’re interested in, there’s truly something for everyone.
Saving £££
Buying a 16-25 Railcard, 18+ Student Oyster card, or investing in an annual bus/train ticket can make travelling a lot more affordable.
Find out more about rail cards and transports discounts here:
Khaula, Student Life magazine