Commuting for Postgrad

I'll be starting a postgraduate course next week, and I'll be commuting (1hr 20mins), as it was the cheaper and more viable option. I didn't see the point in paying an extra £5,000+, for living in student accommodation, especially when our course is taught in blocks. e.g. Go in 1 week for module, 2 weeks off for assignment, go in for next module, 2 weeks off etc.

However, I'm starting to wonder if I will later on regret my decision. I've always loved the university, and it would be great to make some friends outside of the course on societies etc, but as I'll be commuting / not at uni every week, surely this will be difficult?

I'm just wondering if I'm missing out a little on the postgraduate experience, rather than work work work all the time (that's if I even have time for non-work activities).

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience commuting, how did you find completing work and the commute? Did you manage to join any societies and have friends outside of the course?

Reply 1

Klix88

17

I commuted for my Masters - took about two hours door-to-door on a good day and involved car, train and bus journeys then a ten minute walk. I didn't find the travelling itself a problem. Whilst it was a bit painful for those pesky 9am lectures/seminars, I got into the routine quite quickly and ended up not really noticing it. Staring out of a train window is actually very valuable thinking/processing time.

I did find the experience a little isolating, but this was said by others on the same course who lived within walking distance of campus and it didn't seem related to the commute specifically. We were a small subject group (5 people) and our particular course involved working in a dedicated lab for most of the second term. We only had one shared lecture per week and other than that, we didn't come across folks from other courses in our timetable. How your course is organised might either limit or give opportunities for meeting others.

Plenty of people these days have to work in the evenings and at postgrad level there seem to be more commuters and folks with child or elderly care responsibilities. This meant that generally, not much went on after core daytime hours for postgrads. At one point, Friday evening guest lectures were made mandatory (18:00-20:00). There was such an outcry by people who simply couldn't get to them, that the faculty had to relent and make them voluntary again. Some postgrads got together and organised a reading group and this was held during the day rather than outside hours. That was a useful way of meeting folks from other courses (although I couldn't go in the end as it clashed with an extra module I chose to take). There was an "official" postgrad group with a Facebook page which organised occasional picnics and social get-togethers, but I never went to any of these and can't really comment. Those who went seemed to enjoy them but I didn't really feel I'd missed out.

Apart from that, Masters study is pretty full-on. I found that the postgrad social life isn't like an undergrad one because people simply don't have the time or energy for it. Evening and weekend studying was pretty much the norm where I was.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 2

kka25

18

I'd love to make friends with the people in the classroom; but I hardly have time to do that : /

Go to class; go back home; do work; do work; do work; procrastinate; stress; do work; repeat.

Reply 3

Chloe-Marie

10

Original post by Klix88

I commuted for my Masters - took about two hours door-to-door on a good day and involved car, train and bus journeys then a ten minute walk. I didn't find the travelling itself a problem. Whilst it was a bit painful for those pesky 9am lectures/seminars, I got into the routine quite quickly and ended up not really noticing it. Staring out of a train window is actually very valuable thinking/processing time.

I did find the experience a little isolating, but this was said by others on the same course who lived within walking distance of campus and it didn't seem related to the commute specifically. We were a small subject group (5 people) and our particular course involved working in a dedicated lab for most of the second term. We only had one shared lecture per week and other than that, we didn't come across folks from other courses in our timetable. How your course is organised might either limit or give opportunities for meeting others.

Plenty of people these days have to work in the evenings and at postgrad level there seem to be more commuters and folks with child or elderly care responsibilities. This meant that generally, not much went on after core daytime hours for postgrads. At one point, Friday evening guest lectures were made mandatory (18:00-20:00). There was such an outcry by people who simply couldn't get to them, that the faculty had to relent and make them voluntary again. Some postgrads got together and organised a reading group and this was held during the day rather than outside hours. That was a useful way of meeting folks from other courses (although I couldn't go in the end as it clashed with an extra module I chose to take). There was an "official" postgrad group with a Facebook page which organised occasional picnics and social get-togethers, but I never went to any of these and can't really comment. Those who went seemed to enjoy them but I didn't really feel I'd missed out.

Apart from that, Masters study is pretty full-on. I found that the postgrad social life isn't like an undergrad one because people simply don't have the time or energy for it. Evening and weekend studying was pretty much the norm where I was.

Thanks for your view on commuting at poatgrad. I, like the OP will be commuting for my masters degree. It's good to know you soon get into the swing of things in regards to the early commutes.

How did you find renting out library books and using the university facilities? Was it difficult at points trying to get books etc as you didn't live in the same place? I just hope group work won't be too difficult for me, as I know we have quite a few group assessments on my course.

Your post about your commute and experience has put my mind at rest a little, with some of the worries I had about it all.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 4

VENIVIDIVICI

12

Some people think I'm mad for commuting, but I have no choice. I will be starting an MRes in a few weeks time and am already planning my commuting options and the potential costs involved. Like OP said, you soon get used to it and just get on with it. I commuted for my u/g degree as well (though it was shorter than what I'll be facing for the next 12 months), and at times I found it annoying...but this was down to delays and cancellation of train services, which extended my commuting time.

Also, if you are concerned about missing out on student life, you could go to uni during your "off time" (in-between your block time) to socialise with fellow students and get involved in societies, sport, etc. It all depends on how you end up managing your time and coursework and being able to afford to do that. My time ahead will be spent mostly in a lab working on projects pretty much 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday for 11 months + my long commute...so I won't have much time for anything else...and I'm married, so have that to juggle as well. All fun and games.

Don't let the lengthy commute put a damper on your studies, if you manage your time effectively, you'll be fine and may still have time for recreation.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 5

TBD

7

I am considering commuting literally from the other side of the world to attend university taught modules. Assuming you mean day commuting on a more local level, Postgrad students often have families and commitments which preclude them hanging out at university when they are not in class. Many workers in UK commute for 90-120mins. It is good training :-)

TBD

Reply 6

Klix88

17

How did you find renting out library books and using the university facilities? Was it difficult at points trying to get books etc as you didn't live in the same place?

I wasn't keen on dragging books on a sixty mile round journey I must admit, so I caned the library photocopiers. Most of the time I could do initial/basic research online and work up assignment reference lists at home. I used to hit the library with a specific list of books/papers which I'd already marked with the library reference number (many unis have their library catalogues publically available online these days). When I got to the library I went straight to the shelves, built myself a huge stack of books/journals, speed read them to identify the relevant sections/chapters and then photocopied these. I read these copies in detail at home. Once I had initial research material I could also review bibliographies for other relevant references. I reckon on average I only needed 3-4 library visits per assignment. I only took out four books in the entire year using this forward planning technique. And another advantage of photocopying is that I still have all of my reference material for future use.

I didn't find it difficult to access books from a practical point of view. It was just a matter of being strategic and making sure I arrived at the library already knowing pretty much what I needed. This was encouraged as the uni library was appallingly laid out. There was little point going there and trying to browse through shelves on spec, as my subject's books were scattered all over the building. My course leader politely described the shelving system as "not very user friendly". Hopefully you'll have more luck with yours!

Commuting for Postgrad

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