The Student Room Group

Moving to commuting mid way through the year

Hi everyone,
Im posting this as I’m looking for an outsiders thoughts.
I started my medicine course in September 2024 and also moved into university accomodation. During my first term in accomodation i didnt hate it at all, i made good friends with my flatmates but always was missing home. After my Christmas break, i really wasn’t missing uni and didnt want to go back. This led to me even questioning whether I’m on the right course and if i am made to be a doctor. After going back for a little bit, ive come to the conclusion that the course isnt the issue, its the living away from home. This has made me want to move back home and commute to university which could be possible as my home is 50 minutes away from uni. However, I have signed a house contract for next year, so in order for me to be able to commute i would need to find a replacement tenant, i feel quite guilty about this as I feel like i would be letting down my house mates. Also to move out now, I would need to find an undergraduate replacement tenant for my university accommodation which is likely to be difficult. Im very unsure on what to do but all I know at the minute is im not happy where I am.
Was hoping for some thoughts and opinions about this thanks!

Reply 1

id say dont move

Reply 2

Original post
by Anonymous
id say dont move

Can i ask your reasoning behind this?

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
Can i ask your reasoning behind this?

you wont be at uni for your whole life, enjoy it while it lasts, youll eventually hate commuting -on cold rainy days for sure, youll begin to feel left out when things are going on and youre not there, finding replacement tenants is quite literally impossible halfway through the year, you could still visit on weekends and holidays but go with your heart

Reply 4

agree with this, think about waking up for a 9am lecture or having an exam at 9/10am if you commute an hour away
Original post
by Anonymous
Hi everyone,
Im posting this as I’m looking for an outsiders thoughts.
I started my medicine course in September 2024 and also moved into university accomodation. During my first term in accomodation i didnt hate it at all, i made good friends with my flatmates but always was missing home. After my Christmas break, i really wasn’t missing uni and didnt want to go back. This led to me even questioning whether I’m on the right course and if i am made to be a doctor. After going back for a little bit, ive come to the conclusion that the course isnt the issue, its the living away from home. This has made me want to move back home and commute to university which could be possible as my home is 50 minutes away from uni. However, I have signed a house contract for next year, so in order for me to be able to commute i would need to find a replacement tenant, i feel quite guilty about this as I feel like i would be letting down my house mates. Also to move out now, I would need to find an undergraduate replacement tenant for my university accommodation which is likely to be difficult. Im very unsure on what to do but all I know at the minute is im not happy where I am.
Was hoping for some thoughts and opinions about this thanks!

Hi @Anonymous#1

Firstly, congratulations on completing your first term studying medicine, which can be an intense course.

This is great you have come to the realisation it is your living situation not the course that is affecting your university experience. Have you spoken to anyone about how you are feeling, such as your friends? Or any of the support services at the university? The student support services are experienced in supporting students who have moved away from home for the first time and sometimes even have a dedicated accommodation team. It is really common to get homesick, especially during your first term of first year.

Have you returned to your studies after the festive break yet? If so, how are you finding commuting?

There are pros and cons to living away from home and commuting to university. When commuting you can save money, have help with household chores such as washing and cooking, and the company of local friends and family. However, daily commutes can be tiring in the long run, and it may be more difficult to join in all the social events from impromptu get-togethers to house parties and nights out, although public transport or a taxi is always an option.

However, if you are certain you’d like to commute from home then well done for trying a whole term living away from home, it is better to try these things, so you know how you feel. If you think commuting long-term is possible then I would have a chat with your accommodation provider, be that the university or a private company, about how to get a replacement. Do any of your friends know of anyone looking for a room?

Then if you have decided you do not wish to live in your second-year house you could do the same, let your friends know, and then see if you can find anyone to replace you. You certainly won’t be the first student to have changed their living arrangements during the first year and you won’t be the last, so whatever you decide there will be a solution.

Best of luck with your studies!

Lucy 😊
(Official Uni of Salford Student Rep)

Reply 6

Original post
by Anonymous
Hi everyone,
Im posting this as I’m looking for an outsiders thoughts.
I started my medicine course in September 2024 and also moved into university accomodation. During my first term in accomodation i didnt hate it at all, i made good friends with my flatmates but always was missing home. After my Christmas break, i really wasn’t missing uni and didnt want to go back. This led to me even questioning whether I’m on the right course and if i am made to be a doctor. After going back for a little bit, ive come to the conclusion that the course isnt the issue, its the living away from home. This has made me want to move back home and commute to university which could be possible as my home is 50 minutes away from uni. However, I have signed a house contract for next year, so in order for me to be able to commute i would need to find a replacement tenant, i feel quite guilty about this as I feel like i would be letting down my house mates. Also to move out now, I would need to find an undergraduate replacement tenant for my university accommodation which is likely to be difficult. Im very unsure on what to do but all I know at the minute is im not happy where I am.
Was hoping for some thoughts and opinions about this thanks!

50 minutes door to door? Does that factor in delays or bad weather?

It's too much on top of medicine and you will soon tire of it.

Reply 7

Original post
by Anonymous
Hi everyone,
Im posting this as I’m looking for an outsiders thoughts.
I started my medicine course in September 2024 and also moved into university accomodation. During my first term in accomodation i didnt hate it at all, i made good friends with my flatmates but always was missing home. After my Christmas break, i really wasn’t missing uni and didnt want to go back. This led to me even questioning whether I’m on the right course and if i am made to be a doctor. After going back for a little bit, ive come to the conclusion that the course isnt the issue, its the living away from home. This has made me want to move back home and commute to university which could be possible as my home is 50 minutes away from uni. However, I have signed a house contract for next year, so in order for me to be able to commute i would need to find a replacement tenant, i feel quite guilty about this as I feel like i would be letting down my house mates. Also to move out now, I would need to find an undergraduate replacement tenant for my university accommodation which is likely to be difficult. Im very unsure on what to do but all I know at the minute is im not happy where I am.
Was hoping for some thoughts and opinions about this thanks!

Hi,

It's really good you've identified that the course isn't the issue but the living away from home is. That's already a huge step!

I found myself in a similar position when my parents moved house to be 25 mins away from my uni compared to the hour and a half they were before. I was halfway through my second year so was already in a house with my friends, but ended up just moving home. I don't want to encourage you either way as it's your decision but here are some things to consider:

Can you drive? If so, do you have a car or will you rely on public transport to get to uni? Is it reliable and affordable? Are there good links?

If you do drive and own a car, what is the parking situation on campus? How much will petrol be and how much does parking cost? Would you be able to afford it?

What is your relationship like with your house mates? How would leaving the house contract affect your friendship? I paid for the remainder of my tenancy even though I moved to live at home halfway through the second year, and I wish I had just ended the tenancy and saved the money. I don't speak to any of my old house mates as we've gone our separate ways, but the money I could've saved would have paid for petrol and campus parking.

Will you be able to make the 2x 50 minute drive each day? When you have 9ams, will you be able to get up early to beat the traffic? I struggled and this led to me missing classes and struggling with assignments, and that was just a 25 minutes journey!

Will you be able to manage your social life? I wasn't really a partier but having to drive to campus meant any alcoholic socials were out unless I wanted to get a hotel or stay with a friend. Similarly, I'm invited to less things because some things happen spontaneously and I'm not there.


I don't want to sound too negative though! I love living at home and get to spend time with my family be with my dogs. The drive to and from uni gives me time to de-stress and I can keep all my studying on campus. I have been able to save to do a masters and don't get homesick anymore so that's very convenient. Perhaps you could try commuting for a week to see how it goes? Either way, I hope it works out for you can if you have any questions, let me know!

All the best,
UEA Rep Grace

Reply 8

Original post
by Anonymous
Hi everyone,
Im posting this as I’m looking for an outsiders thoughts.
I started my medicine course in September 2024 and also moved into university accomodation. During my first term in accomodation i didnt hate it at all, i made good friends with my flatmates but always was missing home. After my Christmas break, i really wasn’t missing uni and didnt want to go back. This led to me even questioning whether I’m on the right course and if i am made to be a doctor. After going back for a little bit, ive come to the conclusion that the course isnt the issue, its the living away from home. This has made me want to move back home and commute to university which could be possible as my home is 50 minutes away from uni. However, I have signed a house contract for next year, so in order for me to be able to commute i would need to find a replacement tenant, i feel quite guilty about this as I feel like i would be letting down my house mates. Also to move out now, I would need to find an undergraduate replacement tenant for my university accommodation which is likely to be difficult. Im very unsure on what to do but all I know at the minute is im not happy where I am.
Was hoping for some thoughts and opinions about this thanks!

Hi there!!

Firstly, I want to say I’m really sorry that you’re not happy in the situation that you are in at the moment and I really hope that you can find a solution soon, but I thought I would offer some advice as a commuting student. I’m Lily, a third psychology student at ARU in Cambridge.

I completely empathise with your frustration with trying to find another undergraduate student to replace your tenancy. I understand how that can be really stressful and I hope you can sort this situation out soon. That being said you shouldn’t feel guilty for your feelings. Your flatmates will know that you have a good friendship with them and we want to support you in your decisions. As friends they only want the best for you and want you to be happy.

You should also be proud of yourself for coming to the realisation that something isn’t making you happy because that’s really hard to admit sometimes. I’m glad you realised that the course itself wasn’t making you unhappy but being away from home was. I think you just need to admit to yourself that commuting is what is best for you and is what’s going to make you happy and you have to be selfish and not think about others. Being a commuting student myself I’m so happy with the decision of staying home as it is what is best for myself. Even though going to and from lectures is more of a journey and commitment, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I really hope you can sort this situation out soon and if you need any advice or questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you,
Lily
ARU Online Student Ambassador

Reply 9

Original post
by Anonymous
Hi everyone,
Im posting this as I’m looking for an outsiders thoughts.
I started my medicine course in September 2024 and also moved into university accomodation. During my first term in accomodation i didnt hate it at all, i made good friends with my flatmates but always was missing home. After my Christmas break, i really wasn’t missing uni and didnt want to go back. This led to me even questioning whether I’m on the right course and if i am made to be a doctor. After going back for a little bit, ive come to the conclusion that the course isnt the issue, its the living away from home. This has made me want to move back home and commute to university which could be possible as my home is 50 minutes away from uni. However, I have signed a house contract for next year, so in order for me to be able to commute i would need to find a replacement tenant, i feel quite guilty about this as I feel like i would be letting down my house mates. Also to move out now, I would need to find an undergraduate replacement tenant for my university accommodation which is likely to be difficult. Im very unsure on what to do but all I know at the minute is im not happy where I am.
Was hoping for some thoughts and opinions about this thanks!

Hi

Firstly, try to remember that you won't be the only one in this situation. I would advise you to speak to your university-managed halls as sometimes they have a waiting list of people who are waiting for rooms, so it might be a possibility that someone could take your room over.

I would advise that maybe you could mention to your flatmates for the house next year how you are feeling as this will enable you to potentially find someone else to fill the room more easily than you might think.

I hope this helps,

Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps

Reply 10

Original post
by Anonymous
Hi everyone,
Im posting this as I’m looking for an outsiders thoughts.
I started my medicine course in September 2024 and also moved into university accomodation. During my first term in accomodation i didnt hate it at all, i made good friends with my flatmates but always was missing home. After my Christmas break, i really wasn’t missing uni and didnt want to go back. This led to me even questioning whether I’m on the right course and if i am made to be a doctor. After going back for a little bit, ive come to the conclusion that the course isnt the issue, its the living away from home. This has made me want to move back home and commute to university which could be possible as my home is 50 minutes away from uni. However, I have signed a house contract for next year, so in order for me to be able to commute i would need to find a replacement tenant, i feel quite guilty about this as I feel like i would be letting down my house mates. Also to move out now, I would need to find an undergraduate replacement tenant for my university accommodation which is likely to be difficult. Im very unsure on what to do but all I know at the minute is im not happy where I am.
Was hoping for some thoughts and opinions about this thanks!

Something that hasn’t been mentioned so far and that may not be an issue, but if you have a maintenance loan and you decide to move back home you will not be eligible for the same amount. You will have been overpaid and will have to pay back the difference or have it reclaimed from future payments

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