Shall I carry on commuting or move out?
Hello guys.
Basically I have a question which was asked before, but every case is different, so I'd appreciate your opinion regarding my situation.
I'm a first year student in Bath University and in the first semester I used to live in Bristol with my family and commute 1h each direction a day. My course is quite intense (pharmacy) meaning I've got lots of hours a week plus few 8.15am starts. It was getting a bit tedious, but I only paid 180£ for all the transport comparing to my uni mates who paid 400£ for accommodation plus living expenses etc. Recently my family moved to Westbury which was meant to be closer, but somehow the train takes longer...so I walk 30 min to the station, 30 min train plus 20-30 min uni bus in no traffic. It takes me 1.30-2.00h to get to uni!!! It's a bit too much and I'm very focused on my studies and don't want to waste my time on the train etc. so I stated looking at accommodations. I'm even looking at one tomorrow which would cost me 300£ a month including bills and Internet. Transport for a month costs me 220£ at the moment.
However, my parents are against. They don't stop me, they say its up to me, but advice me not to as if I move out I would need a student loan and they are worried I will end up in endless debt. My mum is very supportive, she sometimes gives me lift to uni on her way to work...but on those days we leave home at 6 am ( don't ask when I get up) and she picks me back at 9pm. I get a bit tired those days.
Due to the fact that I travel I can't really spend time with my uni friends, but that doesn't bother me so much as I'm purely focused on work. My main concern is that in the second year I will have lots to study and not enough time/ energy. Plus I would kind of want to be more involved in uni life, that would be nice.
So if you were me guys , what would you do? Carry on commuting and having long 5-9 days ( not 9-5 haha ) or simply move out in a property close to the uni which might cost you a bit more ( like 100£ a month more)? Am I being lazy for not wanting to spend so much time travelling or is it just too much for every day commuting bearing in mind all my days are busy.
Basically I have a question which was asked before, but every case is different, so I'd appreciate your opinion regarding my situation.
I'm a first year student in Bath University and in the first semester I used to live in Bristol with my family and commute 1h each direction a day. My course is quite intense (pharmacy) meaning I've got lots of hours a week plus few 8.15am starts. It was getting a bit tedious, but I only paid 180£ for all the transport comparing to my uni mates who paid 400£ for accommodation plus living expenses etc. Recently my family moved to Westbury which was meant to be closer, but somehow the train takes longer...so I walk 30 min to the station, 30 min train plus 20-30 min uni bus in no traffic. It takes me 1.30-2.00h to get to uni!!! It's a bit too much and I'm very focused on my studies and don't want to waste my time on the train etc. so I stated looking at accommodations. I'm even looking at one tomorrow which would cost me 300£ a month including bills and Internet. Transport for a month costs me 220£ at the moment.
However, my parents are against. They don't stop me, they say its up to me, but advice me not to as if I move out I would need a student loan and they are worried I will end up in endless debt. My mum is very supportive, she sometimes gives me lift to uni on her way to work...but on those days we leave home at 6 am ( don't ask when I get up) and she picks me back at 9pm. I get a bit tired those days.
Due to the fact that I travel I can't really spend time with my uni friends, but that doesn't bother me so much as I'm purely focused on work. My main concern is that in the second year I will have lots to study and not enough time/ energy. Plus I would kind of want to be more involved in uni life, that would be nice.
So if you were me guys , what would you do? Carry on commuting and having long 5-9 days ( not 9-5 haha ) or simply move out in a property close to the uni which might cost you a bit more ( like 100£ a month more)? Am I being lazy for not wanting to spend so much time travelling or is it just too much for every day commuting bearing in mind all my days are busy.
(edited 11 years ago)
I personally would move, both for the convenience and for the uni experience, which is all part of it. You don't want to come out of this not having had lived the uni student lifestyle.
Also you can't go through life not doing things because you're scared of debt. A student loans is one of the best loans to get
Also you can't go through life not doing things because you're scared of debt. A student loans is one of the best loans to get
When I first started Uni there was no room in accommodation. I moved in with my grandparents to make the 2 hour commute everyday. At first I was fine with this but eventually I ended up biting the bullet and moving into halls (best decision I ever made).
Having to commute meant I was missing out on essential aspects of university life, and this eventually put a massive strain on my studies and my ability to cope with the course. The idea of being in debt terrified me, but the thought of wasting three years of my life, not enjoying my studies like everyone else made me feel worse.
As soon as I moved into halls my dedication to my course improved, I got involved in university societies, made loads of friends and took up a part-time job to prevent me from having to use my maintenance loan.
I think everyone finds it easier to stick with the safest option, but sometimes you just have to make scary decisions to ensure you're getting the absolute maximum out of your life. Do what makes you happy. There's never a wrong decision
Having to commute meant I was missing out on essential aspects of university life, and this eventually put a massive strain on my studies and my ability to cope with the course. The idea of being in debt terrified me, but the thought of wasting three years of my life, not enjoying my studies like everyone else made me feel worse.
As soon as I moved into halls my dedication to my course improved, I got involved in university societies, made loads of friends and took up a part-time job to prevent me from having to use my maintenance loan.
I think everyone finds it easier to stick with the safest option, but sometimes you just have to make scary decisions to ensure you're getting the absolute maximum out of your life. Do what makes you happy. There's never a wrong decision
Move.
Commuting on pubic transport is a stressful nightmare at the best of times. It's awful in winter! The long days you're doing are too much for anyone to be able to work effectively.
Commuting on pubic transport is a stressful nightmare at the best of times. It's awful in winter! The long days you're doing are too much for anyone to be able to work effectively.
I used to spend 1.5hr commutting into London from my parent's place just after I graduated and found it gruelling. My performance at work improved when I moved out.
Obviously it is also much better for socialising, and getting a job will be easier if you have extra-curriculars on your CV.
I understand why your parents are worried about "endless debt" but this fear is simply not justified. Read into how student loans work if you are unsure. Student loans are closer to a tax than loans, you don't repay anything unless you are earning about a certain threshold. Presumably you already have a student loan for tuition fees so payments would not increase (it would just take longer to clear it, if you ever clear it as most people won't).
Obviously it is also much better for socialising, and getting a job will be easier if you have extra-curriculars on your CV.
I understand why your parents are worried about "endless debt" but this fear is simply not justified. Read into how student loans work if you are unsure. Student loans are closer to a tax than loans, you don't repay anything unless you are earning about a certain threshold. Presumably you already have a student loan for tuition fees so payments would not increase (it would just take longer to clear it, if you ever clear it as most people won't).
If I was you then I'd move, after a long period of time all this traveling will become to much and if your working through the night on uni work then have to get up early to travel, you are going to feel rubbish in lessons/lectures.
Why can't you take out a student loan? Applications are still open for a little while yet. If you're affraid of this 'Debt' it's not one, you don't have to pay it back till you're earning over £21K and it gets taken out of your pay check before you even get it. Basicly you wont notice about £5+ a week diference. After a few years the debt is erased.
Why can't you take out a student loan? Applications are still open for a little while yet. If you're affraid of this 'Debt' it's not one, you don't have to pay it back till you're earning over £21K and it gets taken out of your pay check before you even get it. Basicly you wont notice about £5+ a week diference. After a few years the debt is erased.
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by anjola
However, my parents are against. They don't stop me, they say its up to me, but advice me not to as if I move out I would need a student loan and they are worried I will end up in endless debt. My mum is very supportive, she sometimes gives me lift to uni on her way to work...but on those days we leave home at 6 am ( don't ask when I get up) and she picks me back at 9pm. I get a bit tired those days.
You won't end up in endless debt. A student loan is the cheapest loan you can get out there, and it is taken out as a percentage of your wage. You can work out how much you will be paying back per months depending on what wage you will have online - just google this. It will not affect getting other loans compared to a bank loan (e.g. for taking out a mortgage) and is taken out at a rate you can afford based on your wage (so you will never even notice it, just imagine it as being an extra tax you will have to pay).
I am on an intense course too, and I find it brilliant to be able to roll into uni out of bed each day without the need to travel in each day (I live way too far to commute so didn't have a choice to be honest). I imagine you will be less tired and have more time to do work, and also enjoy the student life more - this could mean you get a better degree classification at the end of the day. It is good experience to be independent and learn how to manage your bills and live away from home. If I were you I'd move out into perhaps a shared house - perhaps some of your course mates are looking for an extra person for next year? If you live with some nice people, it is really enjoyable.
I agree with everyone saying to move out. It will enable you to focus more on your studies and enjoy your life in general more when you are less tired, can get involved with uni stuff etc. I definitely think the added cost will be worth it.
As for repaying the loan you need to look up how the repayments work and explain it to your parents. As others have said you need to be earning £21k in the first place to pay anything back and even then the amount is really low. It is automatically deducted from your salary just like tax and the amount deducted is less than the amount deducted for tax. You will not have to repay any of it if you never earn enough just like you will never have to pay tax if you never earn over your personal allownace. If you are earning enough and then lose your job or quit you'll stop paying just like you'd stop paying tax in such a situation.
A good way to put it is to ask your parents if they are worried about the endless amount of income tax you'll have to pay in the future? If they're not then they've got no reason to be worried about your student loan repayments as they essentially work like tax but with a higher income before it starts being taken and a smaller amount being taken. Income tax will be worse for you in every way.
As for repaying the loan you need to look up how the repayments work and explain it to your parents. As others have said you need to be earning £21k in the first place to pay anything back and even then the amount is really low. It is automatically deducted from your salary just like tax and the amount deducted is less than the amount deducted for tax. You will not have to repay any of it if you never earn enough just like you will never have to pay tax if you never earn over your personal allownace. If you are earning enough and then lose your job or quit you'll stop paying just like you'd stop paying tax in such a situation.
A good way to put it is to ask your parents if they are worried about the endless amount of income tax you'll have to pay in the future? If they're not then they've got no reason to be worried about your student loan repayments as they essentially work like tax but with a higher income before it starts being taken and a smaller amount being taken. Income tax will be worse for you in every way.
You only have the uni experience once, mate. I'd move out personally. Remember that student loans aren't the same as bank loans, there's no interest and you start paying them back only when you're earning plenty.
Original post by OU Student
Move out. You'll get more loan if you live away from home.
Yes, the problem is not to whether I get a loan or not...I have got my loan already. It's paying it back. My mum said it affects your mortgage application later on in life as the max.mortgage you can obtain depends on your salary. If your salary is X but you have a loan Y, the max mortgage you get is based on X-Y rather than X. I know she is right, but I'm going to move out anyway.
Original post by irishspringbok
When I first started Uni there was no room in accommodation. I moved in with my grandparents to make the 2 hour commute everyday. At first I was fine with this but eventually I ended up biting the bullet and moving into halls (best decision I ever made).
Having to commute meant I was missing out on essential aspects of university life, and this eventually put a massive strain on my studies and my ability to cope with the course. The idea of being in debt terrified me, but the thought of wasting three years of my life, not enjoying my studies like everyone else made me feel worse.
As soon as I moved into halls my dedication to my course improved, I got involved in university societies, made loads of friends and took up a part-time job to prevent me from having to use my maintenance loan.
I think everyone finds it easier to stick with the safest option, but sometimes you just have to make scary decisions to ensure you're getting the absolute maximum out of your life. Do what makes you happy. There's never a wrong decision
Having to commute meant I was missing out on essential aspects of university life, and this eventually put a massive strain on my studies and my ability to cope with the course. The idea of being in debt terrified me, but the thought of wasting three years of my life, not enjoying my studies like everyone else made me feel worse.
As soon as I moved into halls my dedication to my course improved, I got involved in university societies, made loads of friends and took up a part-time job to prevent me from having to use my maintenance loan.
I think everyone finds it easier to stick with the safest option, but sometimes you just have to make scary decisions to ensure you're getting the absolute maximum out of your life. Do what makes you happy. There's never a wrong decision
Totally agree. Same as me, I feel like I'm wasting my life on the train. My mum travels loads to work ( she is a pharmacist) but she isn't looking for a closer to home jobs ( there are plenty) as travelling doesn't bother her. Guess people r different
Original post by anjola
Totally agree. Same as me, I feel like I'm wasting my life on the train. My mum travels loads to work ( she is a pharmacist) but she isn't looking for a closer to home jobs ( there are plenty) as travelling doesn't bother her. Guess people r different
My mum does too! lol but I guess work and uni are different too. Social life is a MAJOR part of the uni experience...and feeling excluded sucks big time.
Original post by irishspringbok
My mum does too! lol but I guess work and uni are different too. Social life is a MAJOR part of the uni experience...and feeling excluded sucks big time.
With me is not so much the social life, as I'm a bit of an introvert and the people who matter to me in this life are only a few. For the others, I'm not too bothered. Getting used to the whole drinking and clubbing is sort of difficult as in my home country the only people who get drunk are the alcoholics so when my uni mates talk about getting drunk at the weekend it sounds awkward to me.
However, living independently and not travelling is good. I'm so glad I signed my tenancy agreement.
Original post by anjola
With me is not so much the social life, as I'm a bit of an introvert and the people who matter to me in this life are only a few. For the others, I'm not too bothered. Getting used to the whole drinking and clubbing is sort of difficult as in my home country the only people who get drunk are the alcoholics so when my uni mates talk about getting drunk at the weekend it sounds awkward to me.
However, living independently and not travelling is good. I'm so glad I signed my tenancy agreement.
However, living independently and not travelling is good. I'm so glad I signed my tenancy agreement.
yeah I understand that, but I meant like the whole getting to know people and maturing as an individual. As for drinking that's just a personal decision for everyone but I'm glad you're happy about your tenancy! I hope everything goes awesome for you
Original post by irishspringbok
yeah I understand that, but I meant like the whole getting to know people and maturing as an individual. As for drinking that's just a personal decision for everyone but I'm glad you're happy about your tenancy! I hope everything goes awesome for you
Thank you
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