Missing out on uni life? HELP!

11

Hi everyone! I’m a student who is going to Uni of Hertfordshire next year for an Aerospace BEng, and I’m going to be commuting from MK to uni. But I’ve been feeling a lot lately that I’m going to miss out on uni life because I don’t live on campus, so I’m not going to be able to do that ‘going to each others halls’ and going to pubs and stuff, is this true? I’ve read a lot about this, don’t want to leave uni feeling like I missed out😅

Reply 1

Scotland Yard

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Ozymandias007

Hi everyone! I’m a student who is going to Uni of Hertfordshire next year for an Aerospace BEng, and I’m going to be commuting from MK to uni. But I’ve been feeling a lot lately that I’m going to miss out on uni life because I don’t live on campus, so I’m not going to be able to do that ‘going to each others halls’ and going to pubs and stuff, is this true? I’ve read a lot about this, don’t want to leave uni feeling like I missed out😅

Well, living in halls does mean you're more likely to randomly meet people and decide to go to the pub, but you can still go yourself to the pub yourself, you know? And if you meet some nice people on your degree that live in halls and maybe they want to do something in their halls you could get invited to their things, and you can go to student societies and events (which will often finish with a trip to the pub) or make your own group of friends and plan to hang out and do fun things...

Reply 2

ErasistratusV

21

Missing out on life is also short for 'not incurring a shed load of expense/debt'.

You can form friendships and sofa-surf on nights out. If you have a car and you're willing to be a team player who wants to contribute to group activities, I'm sure you'll find plenty of distractions outside of studying or commuting.

Reply 3

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Ozymandias007

Hi everyone! I’m a student who is going to Uni of Hertfordshire next year for an Aerospace BEng, and I’m going to be commuting from MK to uni. But I’ve been feeling a lot lately that I’m going to miss out on uni life because I don’t live on campus, so I’m not going to be able to do that ‘going to each others halls’ and going to pubs and stuff, is this true? I’ve read a lot about this, don’t want to leave uni feeling like I missed out😅

Hi @Ozymandias007

I hope you are well! Commuting to uni certainly does not mean that you will be missing out on things. There will still be so many opportunities for you to get involved in things even though you are not going to be living in halls. As mentioned you will meet people on your course and make friends and if they are to host something at their uni halls then I am sure you will get the invite too. Same goes with nights out, trips to the pub, or any activity that they might be doing. You wont be left out and if you are able to get home from certain events then you will be just fine!

I know quite a few people at LJMU that commute to uni and I know for a fact that it does not restrict them from getting involved in everything that everyone does. If you put the effort in then people will put the effort in back.

My best advice for starting uni is to make sure you put yourself out there as much as you can. Not only does it give you so much more opportunities but you will 100% meet so many people and make so many new friends. Joining a society or a club is also a good idea as it allows you to be surrounded by like minded people! You will be absolutely fine commuting to uni and you certainly will not miss out on anything!

I hope it all goes well for you! Let me know if you have any other questions, I am more than happy to help.

Thanks,
Matt 😊
Official LJMU Student Rep

Reply 4

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Ozymandias007

Hi everyone! I’m a student who is going to Uni of Hertfordshire next year for an Aerospace BEng, and I’m going to be commuting from MK to uni. But I’ve been feeling a lot lately that I’m going to miss out on uni life because I don’t live on campus, so I’m not going to be able to do that ‘going to each others halls’ and going to pubs and stuff, is this true? I’ve read a lot about this, don’t want to leave uni feeling like I missed out😅

Hi @Ozymandias007🖐️

Hope you are well. It should be fine honestly. Some people prefer to stay on campus and visit friends and go clubbing or the pub but people who commute do join as well. If you are commuting, you can always still visit friends and go to the pub anyway. After classes, you could stay on campus for longer to do events and then leave so you would not miss too much!

Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜

Reply 5

Manchester Met - Student Rep

Official Rep

16

Original post

by Ozymandias007

Hi everyone! I’m a student who is going to Uni of Hertfordshire next year for an Aerospace BEng, and I’m going to be commuting from MK to uni. But I’ve been feeling a lot lately that I’m going to miss out on uni life because I don’t live on campus, so I’m not going to be able to do that ‘going to each others halls’ and going to pubs and stuff, is this true? I’ve read a lot about this, don’t want to leave uni feeling like I missed out😅

Hey @Ozymandias007 ,
I completely understand that worry, but I can promise you right now: the idea that commuters miss out on "uni life" is a total misconception.
I have commuted since my Foundation Year (and even back during my college years), and as I approach my final few months of university, I don't feel like I’ve missed out at all. You can absolutely have the full experience while living at home; it just takes a slightly different approach.

Here is how you can make sure you're right in the middle of things:

•

Be Proactive: The key is making an effort to stay on campus even when you don't have lectures. Join a few societies or a sports team; this is where the best friendships are formed outside of the classroom.

•

Say Yes Early On: In the first few weeks, try to stay late for those pub trips or society socials, if you can.

•

Use the Commuter Perks: Once you make a solid group, you'll find people are more than happy to hang out in the library or student union or a café with you between or after classes.

It’s all about the effort you put into being there. Hope you have a great time on your Aerospace course!😊

Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism

Reply 6

hallamstudents

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Ozymandias007

Hi everyone! I’m a student who is going to Uni of Hertfordshire next year for an Aerospace BEng, and I’m going to be commuting from MK to uni. But I’ve been feeling a lot lately that I’m going to miss out on uni life because I don’t live on campus, so I’m not going to be able to do that ‘going to each others halls’ and going to pubs and stuff, is this true? I’ve read a lot about this, don’t want to leave uni feeling like I missed out😅

Hi there!

I didn't commute myself, but some of my best friends did and they still made lots of friends so you won't miss our on social opportunities or making friends by commuting.

As others have said, of course if you lived in halls you would have more opportunities to meet people this way, but there are still lots of other ways of making friends. There is no reason that you can't still go to the pub, or go to other people's halls once you have started to meet some people! You might have to slightly put yourself out there a bit more as you don't have the advantage of having instant people to talk to, but if you do this you will meet people and you will find that lots of people want to be friends.

I would also suggest making the most of the time you have at uni and talk to the people on your course. You will have lectures and seminars where you get to meet lots of people so chat to them and see if they want to do something after uni, or at the weekend.

Similarly, try not to rush off after uni. Sometimes you will need to get straight home, but there will be times where you can stay after to go for a coffee, or to the library with people so try not to have too much of a strict schedule if you can have some flexibility so you can say yes to these opportunities.

I would also think about joining societies as they are great ways to meet people, and you can join ones where you only have to go once a week or once a fort night so they aren't too much of a commitment which could help if you have to travel there.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 7

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Ozymandias007

Hi everyone! I’m a student who is going to Uni of Hertfordshire next year for an Aerospace BEng, and I’m going to be commuting from MK to uni. But I’ve been feeling a lot lately that I’m going to miss out on uni life because I don’t live on campus, so I’m not going to be able to do that ‘going to each others halls’ and going to pubs and stuff, is this true? I’ve read a lot about this, don’t want to leave uni feeling like I missed out😅

How long will the commute take you door-to-door? Engineering is a full-on degree with lots of lectures and workshops. I think you may regret commuting on top of the timetabled workload.

Missing out on uni life? HELP!

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