Will I be able to make friends commuting?

I've applied to uni and intend on commuting because it's cheaper and works out better for me but my concern is that I won't be able to make friends. People I've spoken to have advised me that commuting makes it difficult to form friends. Is this true, because I don't want my time at uni to be lonely?

I've applied to uni and intend on commuting because it's cheaper and works out better for me but my concern is that I won't be able to make friends. People I've spoken to have advised me that commuting makes it difficult to form friends. Is this true, because I don't want my time at uni to be lonely?

I've applied to uni and intend on commuting because it's cheaper and works out better for me but my concern is that I won't be able to make friends. People I've spoken to have advised me that commuting makes it difficult to form friends. Is this true, because I don't want my time at uni to be lonely?

Hey!
First off, kudos on applying university! Commuting totally has its perks – it's budget-friendly, and if it suits your situation, that's a smart move.
Sure, living on campus might offer more immediate proximity, but there are plenty of opportunities to connect even if you're not a resident. Clubs, societies, and events are your secret weapons. Join a few that align with your interests and attend gatherings.
Also, don't underestimate the power of study groups. Commuters and residents alike often form study circles, and that friendship can easily extend beyond academics. As a commuter myself who found their friends during breaks between classes or at the campus coffee shop. You'll be surprised at how naturally friendships can blossom.
If you have more questions or need more tips on navigating uni life, feel free to reach out!
Best Wishes,
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

I've applied to uni and intend on commuting because it's cheaper and works out better for me but my concern is that I won't be able to make friends. People I've spoken to have advised me that commuting makes it difficult to form friends. Is this true, because I don't want my time at uni to be lonely?

I've applied to uni and intend on commuting because it's cheaper and works out better for me but my concern is that I won't be able to make friends. People I've spoken to have advised me that commuting makes it difficult to form friends. Is this true, because I don't want my time at uni to be lonely?

Hi there,
I'm not a commuter student myself, but a lot of my friends that I made on my course are! I understand your concerns as they are quite common worried with commuting to uni but try not to worry too much.
I was actually quite surprised at how many people on my course commuted to Uni! It's a lot more common than you would think and there will be lots of other people who are doing it too so you aren't alone. I think one thing with commuting is that sometimes you have to be willing to be the one to make plans sometimes or put in a bit more effort in first year. This is just because you won't have the automatic friends that people get with their flatmates and it's harder to make plans for a spontaneous trip out somewhere so sometimes you just have to out a bit more effort in to plan this in advance!
I would say ask the people on your course if they want to go for food or a coffee after uni and then ask if they'd want to go to the library together or anything really! In first year especially, everyone just wants to make friends so it's likely people will be up for doing things you just have to have the confidence to ask!
Also, joining a society is great. I know It's a bit trickier as you have to travel for it but it's really worth it if you want to do it and you will make friends this way too! Usually there are sessions once a week if it is fairly chilled and then maybe a social but for some more intense ones like sports competition teams it can be more than this so try and find out about this before you commit to anything!
I hope this helps and good luck at uni!
Lucy -SHU student ambassador

I think it might be harder I stayed in halls. The thing with staying in accommodation is that the university and/or city is right there or at least easily accessible for instance herts has a train station that goes from the university (yes it’s on campus) straight into the centre of London at Southampton you get a free bus pass (although it’s totally walkable in to Southampton form some of the halls some places have a 24 hour safety bus to get you to and from halls if it’s a little way. Also things like the library are right there if you need it along with all the other amenities university affords you.
Socially halls also help a commuter will need to plan at a minimum 24 hours before a night out things at uni are organised a number of hours or even minutes before hand so any thing spur of the moment you will miss out on.

Completely depends on commuting time, many commuters choose to commute because they live 10-20 mins away. As soon as you finish first year and people start living in housing anyway it makes hardly any difference in terms of nights out, as long as you have good enough friends to sleep at theirs after drinking.
People who live in halls have their own pros and cons, doesn’t mean it will necessarily be harder, might require a little more effort but thats not difficult

My commuting time would be anywhere from 40 mins to an hour (depending on the trains).
I also don't drink and I'm not interested in nights out. I'm an introvert.

40 minutes isn’t so bad, and you might be an introvert but University can be quite isolating so it is important to make some connections through your course/societies or social events. I promise having a good support network at Uni makes all the difference when things get stressful

Yes I completely understand. I'm not planning on isolating myself, I just don't feel comfortable going to nightclubs/bars or anything like that. Networking and making connections is part of the reason I applied to go to uni.

Hello!
I’m a commuter actually! Any questions you want to ask me go ahead
Id like to clarify that a common misconception is commuters don’t make friends, I have so many great Uni friends, the one thing i would say it takes more effort in first year.
Ive found since all my friends live in different houses across the city now their walk is the same time if not longer than my drive.
I remember using the student room to ask for advice about commuting and i remember getting some lovely messages, but also a few very cruel ones. No one should feel shame if they are commuting, especially if its the right choice for them.
For me it was and still is a matter of family illness, a lot of my friends prioritised moving out, but my family needed me more than ever when i started University, so i made the decision to commute.
If i go out at night i tend to just sleep at my friends, they don’t mind

Its so nice to hear something positive about commuting! Im starting uni in September and im commuting from the very start (half an hour by train) as its just the right fit for me and my needs (and still turns out to be cheaper than sussex accomodation which is sad haha) and ive been absolutely petrified about making friends. Im pretty outgoing and i like to have a few really good friends rather than a lot of people i only go out occasionally with. Any tips on meeting people during freshers? Im planning on joining societies and spending as much time on campus that week as possible to meet people! Anything else you recommend i do?

Hey! Honest best advice on freshers is throw yourself in there! Go to all the fayres and events that you can. For me I hadn’t met anyone to go to them with yet so i messaged my course groupchat and found a group that were in a similar boat, a few of them are still really close friends now. For first year i also booked a hotel room closer for a few nights over freshers to go to some of the events. But the closest friends ive made have been through my coursemates, societies and campus job
If you are an outgoing sort of person you will definitely meet people!

Thats super helpful thank you! Will definitely consider the hotel room idea, whilst i dont love clubbing its something to try out at freshers. Thanks so much for the help x

I've applied to uni and intend on commuting because it's cheaper and works out better for me but my concern is that I won't be able to make friends. People I've spoken to have advised me that commuting makes it difficult to form friends. Is this true, because I don't want my time at uni to be lonely?