The Student Room Group

Is a 1.5hr commute realistic?

I'm going to be commuting to university which will take 1 hour on 2 buses and then 30 minute walk, so a 3 hour commute each day if I only went in once. t's the same commute as I did to sixth form, minus the walk and it was incredibly exhausting, buses were also very unreliable so was late many a time, despite getting earlier buses. It also wasted a lot of time that I could have used to study. The only reason I had agreed to go to this uni was because I thought I would be able to drive there, but my instructor cannot do lessons at the minute and so I am unlikely going to be able to take my test next month, god knows when I will be able to take it again. Even if I do drive, it will take 25 minutes in the car and then either take the park and ride, or another 30 min walk after the drive. My parents have said they would be able to make arrangements for me if I were to stay out later for societies and/or drink.
I do want to reapply to another university for next year that I was accepted to but I've already enrolled at my current university. I don't know whether it is worth asking for deferral for next year or whether I can drop out and take a gap year. This commute isn't the only reason why I don't want to go there and taking a gap year would allow me to save up money which I will need to live more comfortably although this might not even possible since I've already enrolled (not started the course yet though). Also as a commuter I'm so worried about this affecting my social life; as a shy person I find it really difficult to take that 'extra step' to socialise with people so this commute will make things a lot harder, it will also mean I'm less likely to be able to go to society events, take part in last minute plans etc. But at the same time I feel really guilty taking up a place on such a competitive course (psychology) and just throwing it away, and while it won't be the experience I wanted, I'm still going to uni (one that is prestigious as well)
Should I just suck it up and go with the commute or should I take a gap year?? I'm really stuck :frown:
This level of a commute will inevitably mean:

significant cost to your student life

Inevitably impact your academics

Potentially impact your mental health & quality of life

You could look to move closer or ask for a deferral or drop out, you will have to check university policy on what fees you’re liable for (if any)
Original post by hannah_dul_set
I'm going to be commuting to university which will take 1 hour on 2 buses and then 30 minute walk, so a 3 hour commute each day if I only went in once. t's the same commute as I did to sixth form, minus the walk and it was incredibly exhausting, buses were also very unreliable so was late many a time, despite getting earlier buses. It also wasted a lot of time that I could have used to study. The only reason I had agreed to go to this uni was because I thought I would be able to drive there, but my instructor cannot do lessons at the minute and so I am unlikely going to be able to take my test next month, god knows when I will be able to take it again. Even if I do drive, it will take 25 minutes in the car and then either take the park and ride, or another 30 min walk after the drive. My parents have said they would be able to make arrangements for me if I were to stay out later for societies and/or drink.
I do want to reapply to another university for next year that I was accepted to but I've already enrolled at my current university. I don't know whether it is worth asking for deferral for next year or whether I can drop out and take a gap year. This commute isn't the only reason why I don't want to go there and taking a gap year would allow me to save up money which I will need to live more comfortably although this might not even possible since I've already enrolled (not started the course yet though). Also as a commuter I'm so worried about this affecting my social life; as a shy person I find it really difficult to take that 'extra step' to socialise with people so this commute will make things a lot harder, it will also mean I'm less likely to be able to go to society events, take part in last minute plans etc. But at the same time I feel really guilty taking up a place on such a competitive course (psychology) and just throwing it away, and while it won't be the experience I wanted, I'm still going to uni (one that is prestigious as well)
Should I just suck it up and go with the commute or should I take a gap year?? I'm really stuck :frown:

As someone with a long commute, no I don't think it's realistic especially if you're full time, and especially as your journey has 3 legs to it (bus A, bus B, then walk) which creates so many extra points of failure. Especially as you note the buses are unreliable.

This is just not practical. You should look at moving to live nearer the university, or at another university closer to you.

Note I don't think driving to the uni is much more practical either.

You don't necessarily need to give up your place though. You can always request to defer entry for a year and then take up your place the following academic year. I would still suggest moving to uni though in this case.
I did an hour and a half commute (3 hours total) throughout my undergraduate degree and yeah, it is very tiring. All of the points you brought up were very valid, I wasn't able to attend society events which most probably impacted my social life (I don't feel comfortable traveling in the dark because of safety issues), although I will say that I was able to make friends with fellow commuters who got the same train as me. BUT, your walk sounds a lot longer than mine, mine was about a 15 minute walk, and it was two trains rather than buses which was more reliable. Definitely have a good think, in terms of societies, if your parents are able to help out then maybe you'd be able to attend, but just not every week. If you're going to uni just for the sake of going, definitely think carefully! There is nothing wrong with a gap year, especially if you know you could make it into the course (at a more convenient institution) that fits your preferences more. I definitely don't think it'll be impossible, but when it comes to 9am lectures, and late finishing lectures (I ended up not attending certain lectures because they ran surprisingly late), it can become quite difficult depending on the online resources available to you. Sorry if this message is all over the place!
Original post by Anonymous
I did an hour and a half commute (3 hours total) throughout my undergraduate degree and yeah, it is very tiring. All of the points you brought up were very valid, I wasn't able to attend society events which most probably impacted my social life (I don't feel comfortable traveling in the dark because of safety issues), although I will say that I was able to make friends with fellow commuters who got the same train as me. BUT, your walk sounds a lot longer than mine, mine was about a 15 minute walk, and it was two trains rather than buses which was more reliable. Definitely have a good think, in terms of societies, if your parents are able to help out then maybe you'd be able to attend, but just not every week. If you're going to uni just for the sake of going, definitely think carefully! There is nothing wrong with a gap year, especially if you know you could make it into the course (at a more convenient institution) that fits your preferences more. I definitely don't think it'll be impossible, but when it comes to 9am lectures, and late finishing lectures (I ended up not attending certain lectures because they ran surprisingly late), it can become quite difficult depending on the online resources available to you. Sorry if this message is all over the place!

And yeah! Commuting costs are very real, though buses are definitely more forgiving, they are the worst when it comes to suddenly not turning up.

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