The Commuter Student - Making the Most of University While Living at Home

As a commuter student, your university journey can often be different to the average student. Usually, you’re living away from the University campus and the nearby areas, instead choosing to remain at home or in another preferred location. Some commuter students travel by train, bus or even car, but it can be said they all share a unique experience in comparison to others.

As a commuter student myself, I find it convenient to travel by car back-and-forth the university campus. I enjoy the ability to still live at home and continue working at my part-time job which is only a short drive away from my house. However, I undeniably also sometimes feel that I am missing out on certain events that might be happening on campus, or the ability to spontaneously meet up with friends or even study in a different environment.

Here's some practical advice and tips for how you can make the most of your university life as a commuter student:

1. Joining a society or sports club can be one of the best ways to immerse yourself in university life. It is a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends. It can also give you valuable transferable skills for gaining future employment. For a commuter student, it can be a great opportunity to socialise, even if it’s just once a week where you make sure to stay on campus for a little longer than you usually would.

2. Making the most of your time on campus can be a great way to ensure that you aren’t missing out. Some commuter students might be commuting for over an hour, so making your day as fun-filled and productive as you can is a great way to make your journey that little less strenuous. Particularly, making the most of the facilities on campus in between lecturers or other commitments is a great way to achieve this. You might want to visit an on-campus café to meet up with some friends, or even visit the library or study space to get some focused work in. All of this can amount to you a more fulfilled day, that can make the journey even more worthwhile!

3. Lastly, another great way to make the most of your university life as a commuter student can be to take part in an internship programme or paid opportunity within the university. Taking part in an opportunity of these sorts can not only positively develop you as a person but can also help you financially.

All of these factors will help you feel part of the University and help you become a well-rounded student. 

Swansea University particularly supports their commuter students, ensuring that no student is disadvantaged due to the distance that they must travel. Learn more about the support our university offers: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/campuslife/welfare/off-campus-students/#accommodation=is-expanded&get-involved=is-expanded&making-the-most-of-your-time-here=is-expanded&travel=is-expanded

Megan, Swansea University Student Ambassador.