Staying at home for University
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
It is not particularly unusual to commute for an hour or so, particularly in London, but it will have some impact on the social side of university. It's not unmanageable but you need to work harder to build a good social life, study groups etc. One think not to underestimate is parking, that's typically very limited and unless you have a medical reason you will be right at the bottom of the priority list so make sure to research public transport options.
It’s also worth noting that your maintenance loan will be a lot lower if you live at home. Which won’t give you much funding to pay your family for room/board especially if you’re paying costs for a long commute.
Most universities will not allow students to park on campus and those that do will usually charge for parking so a driving commute will often work out more expensive and less convenient than using the train/buses.
Most universities will not allow students to park on campus and those that do will usually charge for parking so a driving commute will often work out more expensive and less convenient than using the train/buses.
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
As has been flagged -- you'd need to look into where you would park. I suspect most universities don't provide parking for students and some won't even have space to provide it for staff. So you'd need to investigate what the availability is at the university to you want to study at. You'd need to look at the cost of parking, how easy it is to find a space at the time you want to arrive, and how long you can park for (for example, some on-street parking might have a maximum stay of two or three hours; no use if you need to park all day). You'd also need to look at how long it takes to walk from where you park to your lectures. Think forward to the winter -- will you be happy trudging back to your car in the rain on a dark December evening?
If you have only one lecture in a day, would you have the self-discipline to drive an hour in, go to a lecture, then spend an hour driving back?
Take into account the costs of driving in every day and parking every day. Include fuel costs, servicing, wear-and-tear on the car. Will the increased mileage you're doing increase the cost of your insurance. Look at how that would compare with accommodation at your university.
What would be your backup plan if your car wasn't available -- e.g. in for servicing, broken down, in the worst case stolen?
Anon,
There is the option of public transport but with train cancellations and strikes, this may not be the best option.
Accommodation is expensive, but it also depends on where you study.
The North tends to be cheaper than the South.
Cities will tend be more expensive, so maybe explore other options e.g. a university which is not in a big city.
Remember, you can also apply for a student loan which will help to cover some or all of your accommodation.
All the best,
Oluwatosin – 2nd year student – University of Huddersfield
There is the option of public transport but with train cancellations and strikes, this may not be the best option.
Accommodation is expensive, but it also depends on where you study.
The North tends to be cheaper than the South.
Cities will tend be more expensive, so maybe explore other options e.g. a university which is not in a big city.
Remember, you can also apply for a student loan which will help to cover some or all of your accommodation.
All the best,
Oluwatosin – 2nd year student – University of Huddersfield
Have you worked out the cost hall’s while on the face of it can be expensive it can workout cheaper than commuting and if the unis you like don’t allow parking on campus it can get very expensive. Even if you’re only in 3 days a week (fairly common at uni) you might find it cheaper to stay in halls i worked out if I stayed in the cheapest halls I would have saved ~£900 a year even the more expensive halls would have saved me money (~£300) so I would advise checking out if it’s actually cheaper first.
Original post by martin7
As has been flagged -- you'd need to look into where you would park. I suspect most universities don't provide parking for students and some won't even have space to provide it for staff. So you'd need to investigate what the availability is at the university to you want to study at. You'd need to look at the cost of parking, how easy it is to find a space at the time you want to arrive, and how long you can park for (for example, some on-street parking might have a maximum stay of two or three hours; no use if you need to park all day). You'd also need to look at how long it takes to walk from where you park to your lectures. Think forward to the winter -- will you be happy trudging back to your car in the rain on a dark December evening?
If you have only one lecture in a day, would you have the self-discipline to drive an hour in, go to a lecture, then spend an hour driving back?
Take into account the costs of driving in every day and parking every day. Include fuel costs, servicing, wear-and-tear on the car. Will the increased mileage you're doing increase the cost of your insurance. Look at how that would compare with accommodation at your university.
What would be your backup plan if your car wasn't available -- e.g. in for servicing, broken down, in the worst case stolen?
If you have only one lecture in a day, would you have the self-discipline to drive an hour in, go to a lecture, then spend an hour driving back?
Take into account the costs of driving in every day and parking every day. Include fuel costs, servicing, wear-and-tear on the car. Will the increased mileage you're doing increase the cost of your insurance. Look at how that would compare with accommodation at your university.
What would be your backup plan if your car wasn't available -- e.g. in for servicing, broken down, in the worst case stolen?
All good points particularly about the winter maybe do some dry runs in like December or January when it’s dark and cold and hopefully raining (so you know what it can be like.)getting there for 9am( that’s to the uni not the city) Han out at the university until let’s say 7 pm (which is possible) and think could you do that every day or not.
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
commuting isn't unusual. if you were to speak to university students about it, a bunch of them would tell you that they commute, some longer journeys than others.
the problem is, sometimes commuting can be equally as expensive as living in an accommodation or a student flat. when i was entering my first year of university, i first considered moving out, but then the more i looked into it the more expensive everything looked, so i opted to commute instead. i took a 2 hour train journey to university and then 2 hours back. sometimes i would just crash at my friends places for a weekend because the commute got so exhausting and boring. i think i spent roughly £250 a month on train tickets, even with a railcard, and sometimes i would just pay for my friends petrol so that they could drive me there and make the journey shorter.
i'm now in my second year and moving into a flat with my boyfriend of 3 years. the rent and bills are cheaper when split across 2 people, but still might throw some people off. my flat is £950 pcm which is £237.50 per week, but keep in mind that this is just a regular flat, and not a student accommodation so it's a little more expensive. but because i split this with another person we pay around £475 a month each, and throwing bills and council tax into the equation we pay around £550, sometimes more.
if you have any close friends that plan on going to the same university (if you've already made your decision about what university you want to apply to/attend, or at least considered some options) you could think about moving in together. but if not, you may want to keep your accommodation options more open. a lot of people prefer to have their own en suite bathroom, etc, some people even look into studio flats where you have your own little kitchen and basically a tiny flat to yourself. but certain accommodations which don't have the amenities that are your own bathroom or kitchen are often significantly cheaper than those that do. now this may be something that you would never consider, and don't worry, i was the same, i refused to get accommodation where i didn't have my own bathroom, but if you're looking to save money it may be worth the sacrifice. this could honestly just be in first year, which would be over in the blink of an eye, and during this you could save money for something better for your 2nd year.
but if you think you're willing to commute and live at home, then that's perfectly fine, i did the same and saved money as i wasn't paying rent. in that time i got myself a car and saved some money to put down a deposit on a flat for my 2nd year, which i am soon moving into.
I don't see a problem with that. Sure the commute can take a while, but so will all the additional stuff you have to deal with if living alone. Unless your uni is extremely far away staying at home is almost always the better option.
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
Hi there!
University can be expensive but there are things in place to ease these costs, have you had a look into student finance and seen how much you are eligible for? Many universities also have bursaries and grants to help ease the costs of living away from home.
I commuted to university in the first couple of years and whilst I didn't mind the drive, it can get tiring, especially when you factor in rush hour and how long this can add to a journey! It also made things like going out in the evenings a bit harder as I had to make sure public transport was still running to get home. Overall, I don't think it changed my experience as I still made friends and was able to go out and socialise, it just meant I had to plan it a bit more! The other thing to think about is parking as sometimes this can be really limited at university!
I hope this helps!
Rebecca - 4th Year Student at UCLan
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
Hi Anonymous,
While commuting for that long isn't unusual, there is a lot you have to factor in.
As it has been said before, check if your university has parking (check how busy it gets if possible) and how much this might cost. It is also important to factor in the cost of fuel, car maintenance, etc. For you, would it be worth commuting in for one lecture, and then going back home? Or would you be able to spend the day on your campus, e.g., in the library, to make the trip 'worth it'? Also, how social are you planning on being? Will you be able to go out and enjoy yourself, and then make the journey back home? Would public transport be an option?
I'd recommend doing your research on housing/hall costs at your university, and seeing how much you can get with student finance and bursaries, as some may be available for you. Commuting is definitely a common option for many students - you just have to be able to plan!
Hope this helps,
Isabella
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
Hiya Anon,
Really glad to hear you're thinking ahead
always good to be organised.Some really great advice on here already - and at the end of the day its about finding a routine which suits you and your needs. I lived in halls in my first year, then moved back home in my second year with a 1 hour commute by bus - here are my thoughts:
Pros of living at home
Cost - if at home, you will not necessarily need to do your own weekly shop, and its likely you will save on rent depending on what your family will ask for and how much your travel will cost. Perhaps you could open up the discussion about how much your parents would ask for board, compare this to how much your university halls would cost, factor in travel and see how each option works out.
Comfort - If you have a disability or experience mental health difficulties then you may feel you are the kind of person who would cope better if living at home. Whilst it will not mean as much independent living as in halls, there is no reason why you cannot embrace the opportunity to take on more responsibility at home – for example cooking family meals and doing a weekly shop – your family may well be really supportive of this!
Cons of living at home
Time – a commute can take out a large chunk of your day, and if you have an early lecture (e.g. 09.00AM), it may mean quite early starts – and depending on when your last lecture ends (e.g. 18.15 or 19.15) late finishes.
Socialising – as you will not have flatmates, socialising may take a little more planning and effort whilst at home. You absolutely do not need to miss out, however needing to commute home may limit your chances to go on nights out with friends, and as a lot of societies meet after lectures you could again be looking at getting home late.
Top tips
I would definitely check what scolarships or bursaries are offered by your chosen university and which you may be eligible for – if there are any you think you may want to apply for then save the deadlines and see if there is a contact address if you need more information or tips.
Part time work – this is a great thing to take up whilst studying to top up your income. Perhaps check out Saturday or part-time jobs in your local area to fit around sixth form (working at a local supermarket, bakery, or anything at local schools such as sports coaching?) I would also recommend checking out your university’s jobs page when you arrive – often there are flexible/casual roles on-campus advertised all year round. You could be a student ambassador, work in one of the cafes or eateries or do social media work. Often this is also a lovely way to get a break from your studies and get to know more people too 😊
I hope this helps in your decision! Very best wishes in your next steps.
Holly
University of Bath
Original post by Anonymous
I’ve been starting to look into universities and accommodations and everything and it’s just so expensive? (I’m going into year 12 but want to keep on top of everything so I’m not caught out) Would it be normal for me to drive nearly and hour to go and to stay at home because money is a struggle?
Hi there
It is pretty common for students to live at home and commute to university. However, from friends that have done this, I've heard that it can be rather isolating, you can miss out on club nights and make friends with housemates. Also, be aware of the costs and time associated with commuting. Of course, there will be many students in your situation who are also commuting and, just because you're not in halls in the first year, does not mean that you can't opt to join a house in later years if you change your mind.
I hope this helps
Jaz - Cardiff student rep
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