Tips for commuting students | University advice

Commuting to school or university is something a lot of people do, especially here in the UK, but I rarely see blogs or YouTube videos discussing it. I thought I'd combat this shortage by writing an advice post for commuting students! While my placement is a 5 minute drive away, my university is substantially further than that (think about an hour of travelling each way) so I have plenty of experience dealing with commuting. Here are some of the tips I wanted to share.

Classes

Do not let commuting become an excuse to skip classes. Honestly, this is so important. I know travelling can make the desire to stay at home even stronger (especially towards the end of the semester) but you need to force yourself to go! Remember that you’ll fall behind and lose marks if you skip your lectures.

Let your lecturer of seminar leader know about delays or cancellations. There will be times where an external event or illness means you physically can’t travel. I had several occasions last year when trains were cancelled or the whole train line was closed. If this happens, it’s really important to tell university staff. I’ve found they’re really accommodating when things are outside your control, and will be more than happy to answer any questions or forward material related to the class. This is even easier to do if you introduce yourself in the first class and explain that you commute.

Organise note sharing. I really recommend setting up a note sharing group with other students on your course. This can be so helpful when you’re forced to miss a class as you always have their notes as a backup. If you manage to find other commuters, even better! It can also act as a really good support network since everyone will understand the difficulties of commuting. There’s bound to be at least one other commuter so make sure to ask around.

Plan your timetable. Most universities will give an estimate for your timetable when you choose your modules. Try to work out what days and times you will be expected to be on campus, and plan accordingly.

Support

Access student support if you need it. Universities vary in their support for commuters; some are amazing and will bend over backwards to help you, but others may leave you to fend for yourself. Gauge how good the support is within the first few weeks so you’re not left to struggle if you’re finding it difficult. If the support at your uni isn’t the best, note sharing and keeping in contact with professors is even more important.

Switch out of inconvenient classes if possible. Some universities allow commuters to switch out of seminars and workshops which you might struggle to get to, but the majority don’t. If you have a 9am or 6pm class you physically can’t get to, try and find another student who will swap with you. This is easier if you have friends on campus who take pity on you!

Tell your academic supervisor that you commute. They might be able to help you if you’re struggling, since they’ll have a bit more influence within the department.

Social life

Talk to people. Before I started university, everyone told me that I wouldn’t make any friends because I commute. They were so wrong! The key is to approach people first. I know it’s terrifying, but I think having friends is worth a few minutes of anxiety. Even just asking someone a basic question about a class or assignment can lead to a solid friendship. You just need to break the initial barrier; once you’ve done that, it’s so much easier to talk to them again.

Connect over social media. Don’t be afraid of fresher’s Facebook groups, I met some great people that way! If you see someone on a group who seems to have similar interests to you, send them a friend request and a message asking what course they’re doing. You can also search the uni’s tags on social media and follow people there.

Join societies! Seriously, it’s such a good way to meet people, even if you only attend one or two events. I’ve met so many amazing people through the societies I’ve been in. There will always be alcohol free events that finish earlier so you’ll still be able to get home - look for meals, film screenings and picnics.

Find someone you can stay with in emergencies. Making friends with someone who lives on campus or in town is so important, since you never know when the later trains will be cancelled or sudden bad weather will leave you stranded.

General tips

Look after yourself. Commuting can be very emotionally and physically draining. Eat healthily, get enough sleep, do some exercise and spend time doing what you enjoy.

Stay organised. You’ll have less time that the average student, so it’s really important to use your time wisely. Have good morning and evening routines and have a planner. I like to dedicate my travel time to doing compulsory reading. It also helps to make your lunch the night before.

Bulk cook food and freeze it. There will be times when you will get home and be too tired to cook, but processed is not the way to go. Dedicate some of your time off to making loads of meals that freeze well such as curry, soup and stews. When you’re forced to stay late or are feeling tired, you can just defrost something.

Get a reusable travel mug to take on the bus/train. It’s not 100% necessary, but having a nice hot drink can make those winter morning commutes a little more bearable.

If you drive, learn about parking restrictions. Some universities don’t allow students to park on campus, so you may need extra time to walk or get the bus there.

Make the most of transport offers. If you’re in the UK and use the train, definitely get a 16-25 railcard as it gets you a 33% discount on off-peak fares. There may also be fresher’s deals on bus passes and car parking passes - you don’t have to be first year to get these.

Finally, learn when the last bus or train is! Please don't get stranded!

Do you have any more tips for commuting students? Let us know in the comments below!