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Living at home second yesr

I’m planning to do Second Year at home and just downloading the PowerPoints. Worth it or nah, my course feels like I never need to be there in person

Reply 1

OxfordBrookesRep

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

I’m planning to do Second Year at home and just downloading the PowerPoints. Worth it or nah, my course feels like I never need to be there in person

Hi @Anonymous1,

Thank you for your message 😊

It may be worth thinking about what you’d like to get out of your university experience overall. Attending in person can offer valuable opportunities, such as joining discussions, building connections with peers and staff, and making the most of campus facilities and resources, which you’re likely paying for as part of your tuition.

However, working remotely can help reduce costs and save on travel time, potentially giving you more scope to focus on your studies. Just bear in mind that some students find it harder to stay motivated or feel connected when studying from home.

It’s definitely a good idea to speak with your academic advisor or course leader to understand what’s expected for your course, and what you might miss by not being on campus.

I hope that this helps. Let us know what you end up deciding 😊

Best wishes,

Clare
Admissions
Oxford Brookes University

Reply 2

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

I’m planning to do Second Year at home and just downloading the PowerPoints. Worth it or nah, my course feels like I never need to be there in person

Hey,

I totally get the appeal of doing second year from home, especially if it feels like most of the content is just slides and lectures you can watch later. But as a fellow student who's seen both sides, I’d say it’s worth thinking carefully about the long-term impact of skipping in-person sessions.

Even if the material seems easy to access online, studies consistently show that in-person attendance can actually help boost your grades. You’re more likely to stay engaged, ask questions, and understand complex topics better when you're in the room. I’ve noticed myself that I absorb way more from lectures when I’m physically there than when I’m just skimming through slides at home.

Also, it’s worth checking your university’s policy. Some universities have attendance requirements, especially for seminars and labs. Even if there’s no formal penalty, low attendance can sometimes raise concerns if you're applying for references or internships through your department.

Plus, being on campus helps you stay connected, not just with lecturers, but with course mates, study groups, and events that might benefit your future career. It's easy to feel disconnected when you're always working alone.

So while you can work from home, and it might feel more flexible, there’s definitely value in showing up, even if it’s just a few times a week. Striking a balance might be the best way forward: attend the sessions that are trickier or more interactive, and maybe catch up online when it’s genuinely just reading through slides.

Hope that helps!

Good luck 😊
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

Reply 3

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

I’m planning to do Second Year at home and just downloading the PowerPoints. Worth it or nah, my course feels like I never need to be there in person

Hi Anon,

I don't know your course or university, so my advice can only be vague. I personally don't think this is a great idea - however I don't know your personal circumstances and why you are thinking of this option.

While working from home can give you some flexibility I think you run the risk of feeling very isolated from your university and your cohort. It's always good to have some people you talk to from your course as then you can help each other out if you're struggling and chat about your degree. I have always found that rewatching lecture videos and working off PowerPoints take at least twice the time of attending the 1 hour lecture, and I usually understand the topics less as I lose the opportunity to ask additional clarifying questions to my lecturer at the end of the session. Finally, some universities take attendance and will reach out if you fall below a certain percentage attended.

This is very much a personal choice and in the end it is up to you and what will work for you and your situation. I'd recommend reaching out to your academic tutor to discuss how you're feeling about your course.

Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 4

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

I’m planning to do Second Year at home and just downloading the PowerPoints. Worth it or nah, my course feels like I never need to be there in person

Hi there,

I know this can sound appealing, but it might not be as good for you as you think it might.

I know it can be frustrating when you go to uni and don't feel like you have got much out of it, but it is still worth going, or at least being close enough to have the option to go. Would you be living close enough to attend if you needed to? You may still need to go in sometimes, if you have group work to do or presentations so you will still need to go in sometimes.

I think it is also worth thinking about friends. I always found that going to lectures and seminars was also a social thing and I got to see my friends and chat to people. If you are doing everything from home this will be tricky too.

You will also find it easier to ask your tutors questions if you go in person. They may say things that you want to know the answer to, or they can just help to answer your questions or help you with your work!

I think that living at home is a good idea if you want to save money and are not bothered about living away from home, however I think you should still be able to get to uni if you need to.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 5

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

I’m planning to do Second Year at home and just downloading the PowerPoints. Worth it or nah, my course feels like I never need to be there in person

Hi!

Although this approach can be tempting (especially if you have lots of early morning lectures!), I would recommend still attending university in-person at least two or three days a week if you can. Online material is great for revision purposes, but it can be difficult to dedicate your full attention to it and to receive a direct answer to any questions you might have about what you're studying. However, it's understandable that this might be the best option if the cost of accommodation is too high near your university or if you or a family member need additional, in-person support.

Have you spoken to your Personal Tutor or any friends/coursemates about your plan to live at home? How far away do you live from your university; is a commute still feasible on occasion, or is it too far?

Hope this helps and best of luck with second year,
Eve (Kingston Rep).