Accom vs commute help!!
omg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
Reply 1
Original post
by Anonymousomg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
Hi there,
I hope you're feeling ready for Results Day!
I was in the same position when I was in university - you are not alone! Although the commute time should have taken me 15 minutes, it took me 30 minutes with morning traffic (I also drove) and although it was annoying, I did not feel the need to stay in accommodation because I simply did not feel inclined to and that is OK. I started university with friends from school (one on the same course as me) so I was not alone in that aspect, but we both felt that we would struggle making friends. However, we quickly got talking to a few girls in our classes and we all became close friends! It is hard to remember that everyone is on the same course for a reason, which is a passion for your subject, so that is also a great ice breaker.
Additionally, I made friends through getting a part time job at the university, which was student ambassador. It was an amazing way to meet people at different stages at university and different courses, and I made friends for life through this job! You can also join clubs, societies and sports teams as well!
I hope this can be of some help to you & good luck on Thursday!
Estelle
Graduate Advocate
Reply 2
Well it’s good you costed it including food for some reason people forget about that sometimes.) it’s always worth remembering that you gain a lot from halls that money can’t buy. I won’t list them here but it’s a lot. I’ll let you into a secret nobody is ever ready to move into halls (maybe those who have been to boarding school.) it’s a huge change some might be excited I was just scared (you will probably cry at some point a lot of people do.). It does get easier after a bit though and remember it’s not a prison you can go home whenever you want or need to (hell I went home almost every weekend.)
Halls are better for a number of reasons but the top ones are academic (universities are designed with halls students in mind), Social and financial I know you said you’d save money by commuting but you get more loan if you’re in halls.
Considering the parking most universities don’t have much parking for students you do seem to have your head screwed on though so you’ve probably considered that. I’ll also add that halls are probably more comfortable than some draughty old shed.
Ultimately it’s down to you and you’ll make the right decision for you right now whether it’s the right decision later on that remains to be seen. Personally though I’d urge halls
Halls are better for a number of reasons but the top ones are academic (universities are designed with halls students in mind), Social and financial I know you said you’d save money by commuting but you get more loan if you’re in halls.
Considering the parking most universities don’t have much parking for students you do seem to have your head screwed on though so you’ve probably considered that. I’ll also add that halls are probably more comfortable than some draughty old shed.
Ultimately it’s down to you and you’ll make the right decision for you right now whether it’s the right decision later on that remains to be seen. Personally though I’d urge halls
Reply 3
Original post
by Anonymousomg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
Hi
I hope you are feeling well and fully prepared for results day.
Personally, I don't feel that it is important to live in university accommodation as you can still make friends outside of the accommodation within the university by joining things like societies, and sports clubs and also chatting with your coursemates.
I feel that this way you actually are more able to keep you with what is going on within your home life e.g. seeing friends etc while experiencing new things at universities.
I hope this helps,
Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps
Reply 4
Hello there
I hope you are ready for the result day and the clearing.
I've found that commuting is totally doable as long as you can manage your time. A lot of students I know live off campus in the city or even in another city and they still manage to attend all the great in-campus activities very well. I am glad to hear that you don’t need to worry about the finances.
Don't worry, you don't have to live on campus if you don't want to! There are plenty of other options out there, like staying at home as you mentioned. It's totally normal for students to feel a bit unsure or not that excited about staying in halls before they move in. You just need to make a decision that is best for your wellbeing and your studies. You can always make friends at uni even though you don’t live with them. There are so many ways to meet new people! You can make friends in your lectures, join societies, get involved in departments or colleges, and so much more. And if you change your mind and decide you'd like to live on campus, you can get in touch with the accommodation team who will be more than happy to help you with any information you need. About living in accommodation at another uni, I suggest you reach out to the accommodation first to see if students from other universities can apply for the accommodation.
Good luck with everything ~
-Minyue (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
I hope you are ready for the result day and the clearing.
I've found that commuting is totally doable as long as you can manage your time. A lot of students I know live off campus in the city or even in another city and they still manage to attend all the great in-campus activities very well. I am glad to hear that you don’t need to worry about the finances.
Don't worry, you don't have to live on campus if you don't want to! There are plenty of other options out there, like staying at home as you mentioned. It's totally normal for students to feel a bit unsure or not that excited about staying in halls before they move in. You just need to make a decision that is best for your wellbeing and your studies. You can always make friends at uni even though you don’t live with them. There are so many ways to meet new people! You can make friends in your lectures, join societies, get involved in departments or colleges, and so much more. And if you change your mind and decide you'd like to live on campus, you can get in touch with the accommodation team who will be more than happy to help you with any information you need. About living in accommodation at another uni, I suggest you reach out to the accommodation first to see if students from other universities can apply for the accommodation.
Good luck with everything ~
-Minyue (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Reply 5
Hi there Anon #1,
Some great advice on here already so I won't need to repeat it! However perhaps I could help by sharing my experience. Like you, I was local to my university and was wondering whether to move out or stay home. Ina way I opted for both! I moved into halls in my first year because I wanted to experience something different and get the sense of independence that comes with living away from my family, and I don't regret it as my flatmates and I made some great memories - living in halls gives you a sense of community which I really liked. However in my second year I moved back home, commuted in. It did not make it significantly more difficult to make friends - I met most of my good friends in my second year - and like you say, it saved a lot of money. So whichever decision you make, it'll potentially only be for a year. But bear in mind that most unis don't allow you to live in halls past first year so if you wanted to give halls a go for a year, then first year would be the ideal opportunity.
I hope that helps - best of luck for your future whichever you choose for yourself
Holly
University of Bath
Some great advice on here already so I won't need to repeat it! However perhaps I could help by sharing my experience. Like you, I was local to my university and was wondering whether to move out or stay home. Ina way I opted for both! I moved into halls in my first year because I wanted to experience something different and get the sense of independence that comes with living away from my family, and I don't regret it as my flatmates and I made some great memories - living in halls gives you a sense of community which I really liked. However in my second year I moved back home, commuted in. It did not make it significantly more difficult to make friends - I met most of my good friends in my second year - and like you say, it saved a lot of money. So whichever decision you make, it'll potentially only be for a year. But bear in mind that most unis don't allow you to live in halls past first year so if you wanted to give halls a go for a year, then first year would be the ideal opportunity.
I hope that helps - best of luck for your future whichever you choose for yourself
Holly
University of Bath
Reply 6
Original post
by Anonymousomg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
Hi there!
You are definitely not alone, and many people experience this. When I moved to my university accommodation, I was set on moving out and knew it was the best thing for me and my studies.
Commuting half an hour doesn’t seem bad at all and if you can manage your time then it will work just fine. Having your own space at home sound great too, I didn’t have that option which probably pushed me towards moving out more. Making a list of cons and pros might be helpful to you as well 😊
You have had some great advice and I am sure you will make the best decision for yourself! You know yourself best and how you are feeling about the big change!
Don’t feel pressured to move out if you are not ready either.
Hope this helps 😊
Jakub - Fashion promotion and marketing graduate.
Reply 7
Original post
by Anonymousomg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
Hey!
Best of luck with your results today! Hopefully it goes amazing.
In relation to picking what is best for you, I would always just try and sit down and weigh up all the positives and negatives on a piece of paper. It sounds simple really, but when visualising your ideas it can greatly help you make the right decision.
A additional point I have is I had the same issue when I was attempting to decide what to do. I ended up commuting purely because of the savings that it would give me and also I lived quite close to campus so that proved helpful!
At the end of the day it is purely your decision but I hope that you make the decision best for you!
-- Brandon - University of Kent Rep
Reply 8
Original post
by Anonymousomg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
Hey! I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing? Have you made your decision on what you'd like to do?
I thought I'd also just jump in with my thoughts, I personally didn't want to move into student accommodation when I was a student. I was given the opportunity to stay over at a uni accommodation and experience student life when I was in sixth form and it just wasn't for me! I also only had to commute 20 minutes in the car to my uni, so I was totally fine with staying at home. I also knew a lot of people who commuted and they didn't have any issues with making friends, they were still able to make friends on their course, got invited to events, attended freshers, joined societies etc, so don't worry too much about that aspect!
It's totally up to you, it's great you're getting some advice on here, and have you spoken to your girlfriend, family and friends for their advice on their situation? I'd go with your gut. I'm sure whatever you decide you'll have an amazing university experience and make lots of great friendships.
Good luck
Becky
Original post
by Anonymousomg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
If you’re looking for independence, easy access to campus life, and more social opportunities, university accommodation might be the better choice. However, if you’re focused on saving money, prefer the comfort of home, and don’t mind commuting, staying at home could work well for you.
Ultimately, consider your priorities—whether they’re financial, social, academic, or personal—and choose the option that aligns best with your goals and lifestyle. Remember, there’s no wrong choice, and either option can lead to a successful university experience.
Reply 10
Original post
by Anonymousomg please help me asap. i know there’s a lot of these questions but i’m still unsure. basically, i’m stuck between commuting 30 minutes to uni (i’ll be driving so wouldn’t worry about unreliable transport etc). or i stay in accom at another uni. if i stay home, we have a shed/cabin in my garden where i’ll move into so i’ll still have my own space. also, i worked out the finances and i could save around 4k a year commuting (accounting for petrol, parking, food etc) 😁
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
i did really like the campus at the accom uni but i just do not feel ready to move out or excited to stay in halls at all. is this normal or is it a sign i shouldn’t move out? i have a girlfriend here and a big group of friends who i often go out with so im not too fussed about the social aspect, although i would like to make a few friends at uni. is that possible commuting?
sorry there’s so many questions! results day is on thursday so obviously need to know by then and i’m stressed so any advice please feel free 🥲
Hi everyone!
Living at home
There are definitely pro’s and con’s to living at home. The big benefit is saving money as you don’t have as many outgoings as you do if you are living away. You save money on things like rent and shopping, and it is a great thing to do if you are trying to save up – I used the money I saved to put towards a car, so this was a great thing for me!
Around exam time, it is also so much easier living at home as (if you’re lucky) you have your meals made and washing done, it’s these little things that make the difference!
The downside to living at home was having to commute every day as this got tiring quickly! It depends on how far you have to commute and how many days you are in university on how much this might wear you out. It also depends on how you commute – for example, if you get the train, it’s a good time to get some work done whereas if you drive, it means you may loose an hour or two in your day!
Living at university
Like living at home, there are some benefits and some downsides to living away. I found that when I moved out in third year, I really enjoyed the sense of independence that I gained from doing this.
By moving out, I did also find it a bit easier to socialise! When I lived at home, it wasn’t as easy to just nip into town to meet your friends or make spontaneous plans, I felt like everything had to be a bit more planned! Now it’s really easy to nip out to meet friends!
You also get to meet a lot more people who might not be on your course! A lot of first year halls will put you into random flats (unless you specifically ask) and this is a great opportunity to meet people you otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to meet!
One of the downsides to living at university is the cost. The cost of living can be expensive depending on where you live and a lot of people that I know work alongside their degrees in order to have extra money to socialise. Luckily for me, UCLan is one of the cheapest student cities to live in so this made it a bit easier for me!
I hope this helps some people work out what is best for them and I’d love to hear everyone elses views below!
-Rebecca, UCLan
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