Commuting vs. Campus life
Some people who live close to uni stay at home and commute, whilst others get uni accomodation. In many cases, both groups are perfectly happy with their decision.
However, whilst I've known cases where someone who was commuting has changed their mind and got uni accomodation instead half-day through Term 1 (because they felt they were missing out), I've never heard of anyone changing their mind the other way.
Reply 2
Hi there,
I've always lived in accommodation at uni so I can't speak from my own experience. However, one of my closest friends at uni is a commuting student and we've never found it an issue. We typically have to arrange plans in advance so that my friend can plan transport back home, etc., but as long as we plan things, the fact we didn't live near each other hasn't been an issue.
I know a few students who commute roughly 30 minute journeys to uni, and they have all enjoyed their uni experience just as much as others who live in accommodation. Although the two experiences are slightly different, they both have their advantages, so there isn't a wrong choice. It can be useful to stay at home to save on rent or living costs, and this could put you in a better financial position when you graduate - which some students find the biggest benefit.
I think as long as you try and chat to people and make the most of your university activities and facilities when you are on campus, you can have an equally good time and still meet lots of people. And I can say for both commuting and accommodation students, you're all in the same boat when you start uni and are all looking for friendships. So despite your living situation, you will find your new common experiences will help you make the connections you're looking for.
All the best for when you get started at uni! 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU
Reply 3
I've always lived in accommodation at uni so I can't speak from my own experience. However, one of my closest friends at uni is a commuting student and we've never found it an issue. We typically have to arrange plans in advance so that my friend can plan transport back home, etc., but as long as we plan things, the fact we didn't live near each other hasn't been an issue.
I know a few students who commute roughly 30 minute journeys to uni, and they have all enjoyed their uni experience just as much as others who live in accommodation. Although the two experiences are slightly different, they both have their advantages, so there isn't a wrong choice. It can be useful to stay at home to save on rent or living costs, and this could put you in a better financial position when you graduate - which some students find the biggest benefit.
I think as long as you try and chat to people and make the most of your university activities and facilities when you are on campus, you can have an equally good time and still meet lots of people. And I can say for both commuting and accommodation students, you're all in the same boat when you start uni and are all looking for friendships. So despite your living situation, you will find your new common experiences will help you make the connections you're looking for.
All the best for when you get started at uni! 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU
Thank you so much for this response it’s very helpful!
On the "saves money" front, be aware that you get a lower maintenance loan if you're living with your parents.
Reply 5
with a 30 min train ride i think you'll totally have a better time than someone with a longer commute you will likley save money but you will also receive less loan. With that said however you will have a different experience to those living in halls and you will miss out on some things.
•
Independence what I mean by that is learning to live by your self and take care of your self that means learning to cook for youe self and clean i know that sounds boring but it's a vital life skill.
•
Halls activates students despite what the media will have you believe don't always go out and get drunk there are things like movie nights,video game tournaments or just nights in we had dinner parties (one of the guys i lived was an amazing cook and also enjoyed cooking for people.
•
Last minute plans quite a lot of times we decided to go out at like 8:55pm (The clubs opened at 9). if your at home you won't be called and you most likley will miss it we decided one evening to go to Milton Keynes (Xscape) skiing from the south coast so that's the kind of thing you could miss out on.
•
Genral madness people in halls will invent games and stuff instead of going out sometimes take the halls at my university this happened in one of the halls (it's not owned by the university anymore it's privately owned halls now).
One thing I found at uni was my time table had some huge gaps for instance in my second year I had two lectures in the morning then I had a 8 hour break. and in that break I found it was kind of nice to be able to retreat back to my halls to study or do some work or something rather than spending all that time on campus.
I don't quite know what it's like having a commute that is that short I think you''ll be able to take bart and probably enjoy your self but there is no doubt in my mind that you will miss out a little bit.
Reply 6
•
Independence what I mean by that is learning to live by your self and take care of your self that means learning to cook for youe self and clean i know that sounds boring but it's a vital life skill.
•
Halls activates students despite what the media will have you believe don't always go out and get drunk there are things like movie nights,video game tournaments or just nights in we had dinner parties (one of the guys i lived was an amazing cook and also enjoyed cooking for people.
•
Last minute plans quite a lot of times we decided to go out at like 8:55pm (The clubs opened at 9). if your at home you won't be called and you most likley will miss it we decided one evening to go to Milton Keynes (Xscape) skiing from the south coast so that's the kind of thing you could miss out on.
•
Genral madness people in halls will invent games and stuff instead of going out sometimes take the halls at my university this happened in one of the halls (it's not owned by the university anymore it's privately owned halls now).
One thing I found at uni was my time table had some huge gaps for instance in my second year I had two lectures in the morning then I had a 8 hour break. and in that break I found it was kind of nice to be able to retreat back to my halls to study or do some work or something rather than spending all that time on campus.
I don't quite know what it's like having a commute that is that short I think you''ll be able to take bart and probably enjoy your self but there is no doubt in my mind that you will miss out a little bit.
Thank you this response is so insightful!
Reply 7
Hi there,
Lots of people commute and still make friends so try not to worry too much about this as there are still plenty of ways to make friends. Here are some ways that you can make friends that don't involve living in University accommodation:
•
Look on social media. There are often group chats on platforms such as Facebook where there will be groups for your course and just your uni in general. This is a good way of meeting people and making some friends!
•
Join a society. You will only be a 30 minute commute away so joining societies is still very possible! There will likely be lots of these at your university so have a look when you join and see if there are any that you like the sound of as these are worth joining.
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See if your Student Union puts any events on. The SU at University will often put different events on throughout the year where you can meet people so this is worth looking at and seeing if there is anything you like the sound of as these are usually good!
•
You will also meet people in your lectures and seminars and you will often end up doing group work and you will meet people that way too!
I hope some of this helps!
Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂
Reply 8
Hi!
I have many friends who commute to uni and have had no issues making friends and getting involved with uni life. While it is a different university experience, commuting should not hinder your ability to meet people, take part in societies, and enjoy all that uni can offer.
Hope this helps! Faye 🙂
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