The Student Room Group

Commute or halls?

I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Reply 1

I commuted for all 3 years of my undergrad and it was approx an hour each way. For most of my degree I went in for classes 3 days a week so it wasn't really too bad. It can definitely get a little tiring at times but I much preferred it over the idea of moving out. If you have any more questions about commuting feel free to ask in this thread or pm me! 😊 x

Reply 2

I was thinking of commuting in first year, but decided to opt for halls. I lived in a flat of 10 and found that I would come home most weekends as everybody would be drinking, we weren't really close as a flat, it just didn't feel very homely and the flat was messy as nobody could agree on cleaning etc. Looking back, I did spend a lot of money on accommodation and was hardly in my uni room. However, living in halls did help with my independence and meeting new people etc.

I lived in halls in 2nd year too, but for 3rd year I commuted an hour to and from uni. I wasn't looking forward to it initially and it does take some getting used to, but eventually I enjoyed commuting. As the post above mentions, it can be a little tiring sometimes, however, it can motivate you to start assignments early and manage your workload. Commuting was definitely worthwhile as I was only in uni 2 days a week and being at home helped me to separate the stress of uni which I couldn't whilst living in halls. It is a tough decision, but I hope you are able to do what's best for you 🙂

Reply 3

Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much.


I can certainly understand that halls are not right for everyone.

For what it's worth "drinking" and "going out" are not requirements -- no one is going to force you to do either just because you live in halls.


I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home.


There's quite a difference between 35 minutes commute and "just under 90 minutes on a good day".


I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much)


Every course will be different in terms of how the timetable is structured. Be aware that the semester 1 timetable will look different to the semester 2 timetable -- and also that the timetable for this year's students is likely to be different to next year's students. It could easily be the case that you have timetabled commitments 4 or 5 days a week.

Things you need to consider:

You will get a lower maintenance loan if you live at home

You say you drive -- so you need to factor in the costs of owning a car (fuel, maintenance, car tax, insurance, MOT, tyres, etc.)

You'll need to find somewhere to park if you drive in; so you'll need to find out where that will be (bearing in mind that many universities don't provide student parking at all, or have very limited space) and how much it will cost

You say "90 minutes on a good day" -- so you need to plan for a day not being good and consider how long you realistically need to allow to make sure you arrive in time.

90 minutes each way is 3 hours a day. That's a lot of commuting, and you might find it tiring.

You need a plan B for getting in if/when your car isn't available

Commuting might seem OK when you're thinking about it in July -- but how will you feel about driving in dark and miserable weather in November/December/January when sunrise isn't till 8am and sunset is before 5pm. I find driving in the dark more tiring than driving in daylight.

Will you have the self-discipline to travel in even if you've only got a one-hour lecture on a particular day?

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 4

Original post by Laurenalexa.x
I commuted for all 3 years of my undergrad and it was approx an hour each way. For most of my degree I went in for classes 3 days a week so it wasn't really too bad. It can definitely get a little tiring at times but I much preferred it over the idea of moving out. If you have any more questions about commuting feel free to ask in this thread or pm me! 😊 x

Hey I can't pm you as I'm new to the site is what it says 😶 Can I ask how this was for you socially? Only I know a big part of uni is making friends, and being more social and independent. I have friends at home who don't/aren't going to uni, however I still can't help but feel like i'd still be missing out a little bit. I just know for a fact I'm a very homely person and would get very homesick.

Reply 5

Original post by martin7
I can certainly understand that halls are not right for everyone.
For what it's worth "drinking" and "going out" are not requirements -- no one is going to force you to do either just because you live in halls.
There's quite a difference between 35 minutes commute and "just under 90 minutes on a good day".
Every course will be different in terms of how the timetable is structured. Be aware that the semester 1 timetable will look different to the semester 2 timetable -- and also that the timetable for this year's students is likely to be different to next year's students. It could easily be the case that you have timetabled commitments 4 or 5 days a week.
Things you need to consider:

You will get a lower maintenance loan if you live at home

You say you drive -- so you need to factor in the costs of owning a car (fuel, maintenance, car tax, insurance, MOT, tyres, etc.)

You'll need to find somewhere to park if you drive in; so you'll need to find out where that will be (bearing in mind that many universities don't provide student parking at all, or have very limited space) and how much it will cost

You say "90 minutes on a good day" -- so you need to plan for a day not being good and consider how long you realistically need to allow to make sure you arrive in time.

90 minutes each way is 3 hours a day. That's a lot of commuting, and you might find it tiring.

You need a plan B for getting in if/when your car isn't available

Commuting might seem OK when you're thinking about it in July -- but how will you feel about driving in dark and miserable weather in November/December/January when sunrise isn't till 8am and sunset is before 5pm. I find driving in the dark more tiring than driving in daylight.

Will you have the self-discipline to travel in even if you've only got a one-hour lecture on a particular day?


Sorry what I meant by the 35/90 minutes part is that during sixth form it wasn't really possible to come home in between classes when it was a half an hour drive, so I often had to go the library/cafes etc in between classes. For uni, if it was similar I would be okay with that :smile:
I had a 90 minute commute from university in my later years. Didn't mind it at all. Also didn't hinder my social life - I'd still go to bars and just get the last train home or crash on someone's floor.

Reply 7

If you feel that leaving home isn't quite for you right now, then that's absolutely fine and you might discover you can get a lot done on a Uni commute such as listening to course notes, a youtube tutorial or doing some reading. All that really matters is that you are in the best place for yourself when it comes to making it most likely you'll succeed at the degree. 😀

Reply 8

Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Hi @Hetgifford ,

Ultimately you have to do what is best for you and what will allow you to be happier.

Every university and course will be different, but for me I was in university for three days in my first and second years which would make it doable to do the commute. If you were going to be in university every day, I would say that it is a very long commute to be doing every day so I would try and find this out first before you make a decision. You could try emailing your course leader which you can usually find details for online and while they won't know exactly what your timetable will be, they will know roughly how many contact hours you should have per week which should give you a better idea of how often you will be in.

90 minutes is a long commute, especially if this is on a good day as there will most likely be times when you will be driving in rush hour - if you start at 9 or finish around 4/5 you will be driving in rush hour which will probably make this even longer. It's a personal preference if you would be happy to do this but it will probably be quite tiring driving that much every day so it is whether you think you would be able to do this. Is there a train you could get to university? If so, this might be a good option to have some days as this way you could do some work on the train and it will be less tiring than driving. As others have said, you need to consider where you would park and the cost of parking too as the parking and petrol costs will add up quickly, especially when you are driving three hours a day.

Don't worry too much about not drinking and make sure this isn't the main reason that you end up commuting as lots of people actually don't drink or don't go out as much as you might think. If you did want to stay in halls, you could pick a quieter halls or you could request a quiet flat and they may be able to do this and you might be with people who also don't like going out as much. Or, you could just do things with your flatmates during the week or during the days and if they go out on a night out, you wouldn't have to go. It's completely up to you whether you think you would enjoy living on your own in general and having a bit more independence this way, or if you are not too bothered about it yet.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Hey 👋

I'd say it depends on your course in terms of how many classes or time you have to be in university, plus other things to consider such as if you wanted to study in the library after classes at all, how early you'd have to set off for early lectures etc. Once you get a timetable you'll have a better idea of contact time. I'd also consider costs as well, if you're planning on driving in research parking options as I know we had to have parking permits to park on campus, or if you could use public transport, quite often there's some student discounts on public transport too so that can help financially!
I know one of my friends commuted in first year then in second year decided he wanted to be in halls to be closer as the commute was getting quite long for his contact time in uni, and he wanted to stay for events happening in the evenings. So it might be something you could try, see how you feel about the commute in first year and then you can always consider moving into halls for 2nd year 🙂 I'm sure there will be other people commuting in as well and there will still be lots to get involved in whichever decision you make, ultimately the decision is what will make you happy and enjoy the most of your time at university 🙂

I hope that helps, all the best for your university experience!

Jennie

Reply 10

Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Hey!

Deciding on whether to commute or live at home can be a difficult decision!

When commuting, it’s important to think of hidden costs (such as car parking) and the cost of public transport! I’d also bear in mind how much you might be in each week and whether commuting is doable!

Living at home allows you to save some money where as living in halls can be more expensive.

If you’re commuting via public transport, this can be a good time to get some work done! But also, travelling to and from might make it a little more difficult (but not impossible) to have nights out with your friends!

I hope this helps,

Rebecca, Final Year MBBS UCLan

Reply 11

Original post by Hetgifford
Hey I can't pm you as I'm new to the site is what it says 😶 Can I ask how this was for you socially? Only I know a big part of uni is making friends, and being more social and independent. I have friends at home who don't/aren't going to uni, however I still can't help but feel like i'd still be missing out a little bit. I just know for a fact I'm a very homely person and would get very homesick.

Honestly my social life did suffer as a result of choosing to commute. I chatted with people on my course a lot but feel like I failed to make any real connections/ friends. I didn't go on nights out as I had no friends and nowhere to stay over in the city and I didn't join any societies as many of them met in the evenings and I didn't feel safe coming home from them on my own in the dark. So yeah I do feel like I completely missed out on the "uni experience" but that wasn't why I went to uni, I went for the education and I knew I wasn't ready to move out yet, I'm still not at 21. I'm still independent and do everything for myself at home, I just don't have the complete freedom that comes with living out and I'm okay with that. This was just my experience though, some people commute and still end up with lots of friends. I think it depends on you and how sociable/ extroverted you are. I'm a complete introvert so it's no surprise really that this was my experience 😂

Reply 12

Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Which degree? Three hours a day commuting sounds crazy to me - and stressful in bad weather. Either go to a uni nearer home or move into halls. YOu cn opt for quiet hakls and a lot of people don't drink.

What study facilties do you have at home?
Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Hi there,

I know you have been give a few pointers under this post already, but I thought I would share my experience with this topic!

I commuted for the four years I was on my course for and I did not seem to have any issues. I was fortunate enough to pass my driving test before I started uni, so I was able to make the 20/30 minute or so drive (depending on traffic!). In terms of contact hours on campus, I was in for around 12 hours in my first year, which was about 3 days but this can look different for everybody, depending on what course they are studying or what university they go to. If I had gaps in between lectures/seminars/tutorials, I would normally stay on campus and get ahead of the week by doing reading, any seminar/tutorial prep in the library or at any study spaces. If I did not feel up to doing work, I would take myself off campus for lunch or go for a coffee.

The reason I decided to commute was simply because I was not ready to move away from home but still wanted to go to university. I was apprehensive about the social aspect of it, but I was able to make plenty of friends through the people on my course and also through part-time work as a Student Ambassador at the university. From this, I have made friends for life without having to live in halls!

Deciding to commute or not all depends on a few different factors including finances, being away from family and friends, and overall just your general preference. I would recommend not making any rash decisions and choose carefully about what is best for you.

I hope this can be of some help to you and best of luck!

Estelle :smile:
Graduate Advocate

Reply 14

Hi There,
I just want to say its great that you're asking these questions to make an informed decision rather than just jumping into something you might not be ready for.
At the end of the day, it has to be your own decision and what works best for you!
Like you said there are pros and cons to both staying in halls and commuting to university- but there are also options. For example, you could stay at home for your first year, but if you grow in confidence, and get to know people, you might feel more ready to move out in second year?
There are also lots of policies in place, so it would be worth contacting the student accommodations you are looking at, just to see if it's possible to get out of a contract within the first few weeks if you really don't like it.
I'd say just speak to the people close to you and create pros and cons lists, and if you are really worried about moving out, remember that there is always time in the future.
And to answer your question about contact hours, I was in uni 3 days a week, 4 hours a day, so really not that much.
I hope this helps and good luck in the future- I'm sure whatever choice you make will be the right one for you.
Good Luck.
From Josh (3rd year Film Student)
LJMU Official Student Rep

Reply 15

Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Hi 👋

There can be positives and negatives of both options. As with staying in halls, there is an opportunity to stay and live with friends who could be friends for life.

Although living in halls can come at an expense, so living at home would be cheaper in the long term.

However, I have found that sometimes public transport can be unreliable and cause lateness and extra stress getting to uni.

Hope this helps,

Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps
Original post by Hetgifford
I’m starting uni in September and am torn between commuting or staying in uni halls. Generally, I am much happier at the thought of commuting, as I don’t think I am mentally ready to take the step of moving out. I know that moving into uni halls would be much more immersive and would be good for personal growth etc, but I also don’t thrive in new environments and have bad anxiety when it comes to thinks like this, not to mention the fact I don’t enjoy drinking or going out all that much. I’d hate to spend £150-£200 a week on uni accommodation or be tied to any contracts when I can see myself coming home most weekends or potentially deciding I hate staying there and want to come home. The commute would be just under 90 minutes on a good day, I have a license so I can drive myself but I’m also worried about it being tiring. I had to commute 35 minutes for sixth form so don’t really have a problem having to stay in between classes/not being able to go home. I know there are pros and cons to both and it’s a personal decision as everyone’s different, but has anyone got any experience commuting, like how often do you actually have to go into the uni? (Just I’ve heard people say they don’t actually have to go in much) I know a few people who have been to the same uni, live near me and commuted so I know it’s definitely doable.

Hi there,

For me personally, I did both. I stayed in university halls for a few months at the start of my first year and then chose to commute after that. I personally did not find that commuting made things at university any more difficult. As a medical student, I was in every day, but you should check with your course or people who are in the year above how much they were expected in person. I think there are pros and cons to each but it depends what is right for you, you are right that it can be expensive if you are not going to enjoy it.

I hope this helps

Ellen
Medical Student
University of Sunderland

Reply 17

Commute toooo many halls horror stories
Deffo commute

Reply 18

Original post by Chloe_maria08
I was thinking of commuting in first year, but decided to opt for halls. I lived in a flat of 10 and found that I would come home most weekends as everybody would be drinking, we weren't really close as a flat, it just didn't feel very homely and the flat was messy as nobody could agree on cleaning etc. Looking back, I did spend a lot of money on accommodation and was hardly in my uni room. However, living in halls did help with my independence and meeting new people etc.
I lived in halls in 2nd year too, but for 3rd year I commuted an hour to and from uni. I wasn't looking forward to it initially and it does take some getting used to, but eventually I enjoyed commuting. As the post above mentions, it can be a little tiring sometimes, however, it can motivate you to start assignments early and manage your workload. Commuting was definitely worthwhile as I was only in uni 2 days a week and being at home helped me to separate the stress of uni which I couldn't whilst living in halls. It is a tough decision, but I hope you are able to do what's best for you 🙂

Hey Chloe! Can you send me a PM about this? 🙂 thanks

Quick Reply