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What is university like for a commuter?

I'm starting university as of October 2016 and have decided that I should commute to my chosen university, which is in my home town. I really don't live far from the uni- it's literally a half an hour ride by bus. The problem is that I know that I might have issues making friends (which is hard for me anyway since I am quiet and NOT a party-girl) as I will be living at home. When I say friends I mean not just class mates- ones you get close to (I know this somewhat depends on the person itself)

I just wanted to know the experience(s) of some of you commuters? and how you're finding uni in general? :biggrin: Oh and do you think I should attend freshers, or is it just a waste?
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 1
Avatar for Dnkz7
Dnkz7
12
I'm not at uni yet - but if I were you staying at the campus from what i've heard is a brilliant experience. You'll still make plenty of friends - just as long as you put yourself out there. You might miss out on certain stuff like the general campus experience and getting closer with people but dont let that put you off. Go to freshers, its a great chance to socialise and meet different people. Ive heard Leicester have got one of the best night scenes

what course are you planning to study btw?
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 2
Avatar for lemxn
lemxn
14
Most people I know who lived off campus in their first year regretted it because they found it hard to make friends and their uni experience was generally just more boring than those living in halls - I strongly suggest living in halls if possible!

Definitely go to all the freshers events!!! Like you I was very quiet and didn't party at all before freshers and stepping outside your comfort zone can be a little daunting but it was all worth it!
Have a look at the schedule, see if there are any events that catch your attention - if there aren't any, don't worry about it.

I suppose commuting would save you a lot of money so I'd personally go for it, unless you want to get away from home (albeit a short distance away).

In my second year I commuted on a bus from private accommodation and I got rather impatient with the 30 minute commutes unless I had a book to read or the internet. Not just that, but the buses only came once every half hour as well and not always as scheduled, which was the most annoying bit (the 30 minutes on the bus wasn't bad) so ya know.. it's definitely manageable, but can be annoying at times, especially if you have a lecture at 9am then one at 3am - you either stick it out in the library inbetween or go home, come back and go home again. :s-smilie:
Original post by justastudent321
I'm starting university as of October 2016 and have decided that I should commute to my chosen university, which is in my home town. I really don't live far from the uni- it's literally a half an hour ride by bus. The problem is that I know that I might have issues making friends (which is hard for me anyway since I am quiet and NOT a party-girl) as I will be living at home. When I say friends I mean not just class mates- ones you get close to (I know this somewhat depends on the person itself)

I just wanted to know the experience(s) of some of you commuters? and how you're finding uni in general? :biggrin: Oh and do you think I should attend freshers, or is it just a waste?


I didn't commute but the general opinion was that it was an inconvenience and they wished they would have lived in halls. When you get invited to do something randomly at four in the morning or sit in the corridor chatting all night, it really is a bonding experience. Also your really quiet which may not help. Is there no chance of you living in halls? not even for first year? :smile:
My older sister commuted. She had loads of fun, went out often and has made good friends. She was on campus so much people thought she was living in the halls too lol. Honestly, your experience will be what you make it. Living in halls doesnt guarantee an amazing experience and commuting doesn't guarantee a rubbish one.
But advice: if you can get a car, get one!

Posted from TSR Mobile
Thank you so much for the replies everyone! I didn't expect this many at all. I know some of you think I should still consider living in halls, but I don't think it's possible for me because of financial issues and family etc. I will definitely try and step out of my comfort zone in terms of socialising and talk to everyone, I will never know till I try - right? :biggrin: Thanks again x
Original post by Dnkz7
I'm not at uni yet - but if I were you staying at the campus from what i've heard is a brilliant experience. You'll still make plenty of friends - just as long as you put yourself out there. You might miss out on certain stuff like the general campus experience and getting closer with people but dont let that put you off. Go to freshers, its a great chance to socialise and meet different people. Ive heard Leicester have got one of the best night scenes

what course are you planning to study btw?


Thank you for the reply!
I'm planning on doing International Relations :smile: you? (assuming you are planning to go too)

ps I love Sasuke
What they all suggested you have the following chances to make friends:

Halls and uni accommodation are the best way imo of meeting and making aquiantances with a lot of new people. Its done really after lectures, when you have meals and at the weekends.

If financial issues rule you out, then dont worry too much.

Bond with other course mates.

Join clubs and societies and hook into other peoples friends networks. You have to make an effort.
Try and stay on top of your work, so if the opportuniy comes to go out or stay on campus to do soemthing, then you can.

Half an hour isnt really a serious commute and not much further than some people in student houses will live. Frappe's suggestion of a car would make you popular.
Dont worry though, just make an effort and dont forget a lot of the people you bon with are just acquaintances, you wnat the ones that last and become genuine friends.
Original post by 999tigger
What they all suggested you have the following chances to make friends:

Halls and uni accommodation are the best way imo of meeting and making aquiantances with a lot of new people. Its done really after lectures, when you have meals and at the weekends.

If financial issues rule you out, then dont worry too much.

Bond with other course mates.

Join clubs and societies and hook into other peoples friends networks. You have to make an effort.
Try and stay on top of your work, so if the opportuniy comes to go out or stay on campus to do soemthing, then you can.

Half an hour isnt really a serious commute and not much further than some people in student houses will live. Frappe's suggestion of a car would make you popular.
Dont worry though, just make an effort and dont forget a lot of the people you bon with are just acquaintances, you wnat the ones that last and become genuine friends.


Such a concise way of thinking- I worry too much ahaha . This is really helpful, thank you very much. I shall keep this in mind.
Original post by justastudent321
Such a concise way of thinking- I worry too much ahaha . This is really helpful, thank you very much. I shall keep this in mind.


Try and avoid sloping off back home as soon as lectures are over, eating in the canteen, the bar and hanging about on campus is good.

Figure out whether a packed lunch is viable.

Have a look at your student uni website and see which societies it has you are interested in. You will probably join too many, but the key is to find some that you are interested in and then keep going to them, whilst you get over the awkward period of not knowing people.

Figure out what time the last buses home are.
Original post by 999tigger
Try and avoid sloping off back home as soon as lectures are over, eating in the canteen, the bar and hanging about on campus is good.

Figure out whether a packed lunch is viable.

Have a look at your student uni website and see which societies it has you are interested in. You will probably join too many, but the key is to find some that you are interested in and then keep going to them, whilst you get over the awkward period of not knowing people.

Figure out what time the last buses home are.


Aahh such a good way of thinking, I will most definitely do this!! thank you again
The only other thing I have to add is searhc for similar questions on TSR or speak to students who feel they have not made friends and learn from where they think they went wrong.

Oh and finally why not put an add up or find out a way of contacting other students who are commuting as well, then you have something in common? You might be able to advertise on the student union website?
Reply 13
Avatar for Dnkz7
Dnkz7
12
Original post by justastudent321
Thank you for the reply!
I'm planning on doing International Relations :smile: you? (assuming you are planning to go too)

ps I love Sasuke


I see you're interested in K-POP too.. I only started watching BTS recently :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: anyhow I want to do Computing at Leicester hopefully. Im planning to get next year though.

What put you off getting accommodation in the first place? Was family one of the reasons? Sorry if I sound quite pushy just dont let things like that ruin your uni experience.
Original post by Dnkz7
I see you're interested in K-POP too.. I only started watching BTS recently :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: anyhow I want to do Computing at Leicester hopefully. Im planning to get next year though.

What put you off getting accommodation in the first place? Was family one of the reasons? Sorry if I sound quite pushy just dont let things like that ruin your uni experience.


Ahaha yes I am. Kpop has ruined my life for a few years now- once your in there's no way out. BTS are amazing, I only got into them last year when they started getting popular but I remember when they debuted.
omg I have heard of quite a few people are going into comupting/ic and other related courses it sounds interesting.

Oh it's ok you don't sound pushy at all :smile: and yeah family is one reason and so is financial stuff- it wasn't like I was super eager to accommodate in the first place, it was discussed but I am ok with it really.
Reply 15
Avatar for Dnkz7
Dnkz7
12
Original post by justastudent321
Ahaha yes I am. Kpop has ruined my life for a few years now- once your in there's no way out. BTS are amazing, I only got into them last year when they started getting popular but I remember when they debuted.
omg I have heard of quite a few people are going into comupting/ic and other related courses it sounds interesting.

Oh it's ok you don't sound pushy at all :smile: and yeah family is one reason and so is financial stuff- it wasn't like I was super eager to accommodate in the first place, it was discussed but I am ok with it really.


Any societies in particular that you want to join?
I commuted 90 miles to undergrad.

Negatives
a. make study time count as you will use up a lit of your time travelling that others might use for study.
b. you will miss out on communal living
c. there will be social activities you might not be able to join in with

Positives:
a. I was able to crash at friend's houses if I wanted to go out with them and it was a nice balance, I only ever socialised when I wanted it. I had my own home and space to retreat to.
b. I had discipline and learned to manage my time really well
c. I had a lovely home that would have been twice the price and unaffordable if I lived any closer to London.
Original post by Dnkz7
Any societies in particular that you want to join?


hmmm idk
Half an hour may not sound like allot but think a bit this when is the First last bus you will be constrained public transport and where as that is not usually a problem at school collage you can get lessons from 7am to 9 / 10 at night (a guy on my halls that he did film had that but the lesson was just watching a movie) also freshers week bring s allot of people out of there shells i have seen really shy people get to the first bar order a drink and then bam life of the party. Also that half hour traveling can be better spent studying also group projects there may be nights where you have to stay late in the libery how will you get home if you miss the bus live out mate

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