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Why is there so much negativity about commuting to university?

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Reply 380

Thana12

I also commute (an hours train then 2 mile walk :P ) simply because i can't afford anything else

Reply 381

cubezero3

I for one will be commuting this year. It's about 2 hours cycling to and from the uni altogether. I have early lessons so 6 a.m. is the time I will have to get up. But that's fine considering I will be much fitter after a few months time. I put on 20 kilos in the past few years.

Reply 382

tanii

I used to commute to Newman University almost everyday which is just over an hour away (each way). I had no problems though, I liked the bus route (had different options from Birmingham city center) and it gave me more time to read!

Reply 383

Baje

Original post by Old_Simon

These types of post sadden me. The choices are not only about "doing the course" or drinking. The big choices are around establishing your independence, participating in a community by living among your fellows and contributing something to that academic institution. No one says you can not commute but it simply misses half the point of university. You may as well sit in your bedroom doing the Open Uni, save some money and work part time. But that is not the point is it ?

I cannot agree with your post. Commuting to university does not necessarily mean you live at home and the primary reason for going to university is not about "establishing your independence, participating in a community by living among your fellows and contributing something to that academic institution." The primary goal for all university students is to achieve a tertiary education.

Living on campus does not mean you will [eventually] develop independence or that you will participate in campus community or that you will contribute to the institution. I know first-hand that students who commute put more effort in their work than students who live on campus. Because in many instances those who live on campus get caught up in the 'fun of campus life' instead of focusing on their coursework.

Commuting to campus puts more responsibility on the student, because they have to build on time management and budgeting. Those students having to travel some distance each day to university makes them more dedicated to achieve than those who live on campus and take things for granted.

At the end of the day it all boils down to the maturity and dedication of the students.

Reply 384

zulfi786

It should be the other way round, their should be negativity around living in students halls.

Reply 385

ema grant

I am planning to be in halls for my first year to help with making friends and learning the area but after that I plan to commute - it is about an hr by
car but im recording my lectures and some of my notes so i will just listen to them as i drive - then it will hopefully all stick in my head properly

Reply 386

jonathanemptage

[QUOTE=Baje;59366209

Living on campus does not mean you will [eventually] develop independence or that you will participate in campus community or that you will contribute to the institution. I know first-hand that students who commute put more effort in their work than students who live on campus. Because in many instances those who live on campus get caught up in the 'fun of campus life' instead of focusing on their coursework.

Commuting to campus puts more responsibility on the student, because they have to build on time management and budgeting. Those students having to travel some distance each day to university makes them more dedicated to achieve than those who live on campus and take things for granted.

.

That's not nesseserly true a lot of my mates lived in halls and did very well and I did ok my self.

Reply 387

jonathanemptage

Original post by ema grant

will be interesting to see how you feel in January.

Reply 388

Baje

Original post by jonathanemptage

That's not nesseserly true a lot of my mates lived in halls and did very well and I did ok my self.

I did not say students on campus do not put interest in their work: what I was rebutting is the idea that living off campus will impact negatively on those students. Thus my argument was that students who live off campus tend to be more dedicated, because living off campus takes more effort.

Reply 389

bacteria_girl

I'm commuting - but I have to. I missed the entry requirements uni in my own town so took my insurance place. It's an hour train ride or an hour and a half drive, which sounds awful but it was a choice between that or not going. I can't live in halls with two babies! If I'd have gone to uni the first time I applied I probably would have stayed in halls but now I'm at uni to get a degree, not to socialise. However, I don't need any more independence, I have lived on my own since I was 19 - so I guess it depends what you want out of your university experience to whether commuting would be beneficial.

Reply 390

sorg61013

I'm thinking of withdrawing and moving to a London Uni where I would commute. Would be around 20 mins on the train, however I'm worried about the impact of my social life as if I wanted to go out I would have to leave by around 12:30 to catch the last train :dontknow:

Reply 391

Baje

Original post by sorg61013

That could be a problem unless you have a friend who is willing to let you stay overnight or you have enough funds to stay at a [cheap] hotel.

Reply 392

MelD88

My commute will be around an hour to 50 minutes. My choice of university is not the closest uni to me but it's my choice of living at home and driving to and from. I've had a lot of negative comments and it's got me down, but how I see is people who pass on their unwarranted judgement generally do suffer from small town mentality. It would have been cool if uni was more easily accessible, but how I see it is, a) it's only for 3 years and b) I come out with a degree.

Reply 393

MelD88

Moral of the story: Do what makes you happy 👍😎🤓✍🎓

Reply 394

StressedMedic

Original post by Psyc_Girl

I'll be commuting to university and reading the posts on here about commuting is making me worried.. Surely commuting can't be that bad? If you make an effort, I don't see why your social life would be different to anyone else's?

The problem is a lot of socials are planned last minute which means you aren't going to be able to attend a lot of stuff or spontaneous events. Unless you live right next to them.

It is also a great way to meet people as people often visit new flats and introduce each other and then proceed to make plans to hangout and such. You are unable to do this.

Not a lot of people plan their social life which means its hard to give you time in advance to prepare for what ever people want to do last minute.

For them to have other student interactions all they have to do is knock on someone's door where as you need other students to be on their phone.

This is what commuters at my uni didn't like commuting. I didn't experience this my self but i can see how it can be a disadvantage.

The good thing about commuting is you don't have to worry about cooking, especially in exam periods cause ain't no body got time for that.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 395

username1177050

because university students think they are the height of cool and edgy as f***. they need to get their heads screwed on and get in the real world, out of their fantasy university bubble.

Reply 396

orange crush

Original post by neal95

because university students think they are the height of cool and edgy as f***. they need to get their heads screwed on and get in the real world, out of their fantasy university bubble.

Reply 397

MelD88

I could make time to socialise and be part of the 'university life' which ever interests me, but as a more mature student my priority is to study

Reply 398

Jabberwox

I was considering commuting for postgraduate study.

I've had the university 'experience' during my undergrad and in my personal opinion, it can be overrated as ****. Plus PG study is incredibly expensive as it is.

Reply 399

Trev97

I've been commuting since September and I am starting to regret it a bit. I have a short commute but I've only made like two friends. Almost all my friends from school moved away for there university and I was the only one that wanted to stay home so it's left me quite bored. The two friends on my course that I have made both live at home as well so it's not to bad but it can still be quite boring. I would only recommend commuting if most of your group isn't going away.