is commuting around 1 hour - 1.5 hours to uni every day a bad idea?
My mum wants me to switch one of my choices that's a bit further away (Edinburgh) to a closer uni (Reading), which I don't mind too much (though I really do like Edinburgh so I'm considering swapping Durham for Reading instead). However, she wants me to drive to Reading and back every day, and the journey there is about 50+ miles, and it's showing as 1hour 7 minutes on google maps now. That would be about 2 hours daily / 100+ miles, not taking into account traffic, road works, and all other potential delays. Alongside that, she expects me to do part time work, and lie about the fact I'm going to uni so none of my family (except her) knows that I'm going. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit too much? I'd consider coming home every/most weekends from Reading, but every day feels like a lot. Does anyone have any ideas of what an example timetable would be like and if I'd need to be there every day, or if I'm just overestimating the time that'd be spent there and travelling this much is ok? I'd be switching to study classics there, so if anyone has any classics-specific experience at Reading that'd be great please 
thank you
thank youReply 1
19
Original post
by enteranameMy mum wants me to switch one of my choices that's a bit further away (Edinburgh) to a closer uni (Reading), which I don't mind too much (though I really do like Edinburgh so I'm considering swapping Durham for Reading instead). However, she wants me to drive to Reading and back every day, and the journey there is about 50+ miles, and it's showing as 1hour 7 minutes on google maps now. That would be about 2 hours daily / 100+ miles, not taking into account traffic, road works, and all other potential delays. Alongside that, she expects me to do part time work, and lie about the fact I'm going to uni so none of my family (except her) knows that I'm going. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit too much? I'd consider coming home every/most weekends from Reading, but every day feels like a lot. Does anyone have any ideas of what an example timetable would be like and if I'd need to be there every day, or if I'm just overestimating the time that'd be spent there and travelling this much is ok? I'd be switching to study classics there, so if anyone has any classics-specific experience at Reading that'd be great please thank you
thank youjust the thought of spending that much time travelling... your Mum is expecting way too much from you.
somehow you will have to do what you want to do, otherwise you will blame your Mum for you doing what she wants you to do.
Reply 2
Original post
by enteranameMy mum wants me to switch one of my choices that's a bit further away (Edinburgh) to a closer uni (Reading), which I don't mind too much (though I really do like Edinburgh so I'm considering swapping Durham for Reading instead). However, she wants me to drive to Reading and back every day, and the journey there is about 50+ miles, and it's showing as 1hour 7 minutes on google maps now. That would be about 2 hours daily / 100+ miles, not taking into account traffic, road works, and all other potential delays. Alongside that, she expects me to do part time work, and lie about the fact I'm going to uni so none of my family (except her) knows that I'm going. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit too much? I'd consider coming home every/most weekends from Reading, but every day feels like a lot. Does anyone have any ideas of what an example timetable would be like and if I'd need to be there every day, or if I'm just overestimating the time that'd be spent there and travelling this much is ok? I'd be switching to study classics there, so if anyone has any classics-specific experience at Reading that'd be great please thank you
thank youHave you sorted out parking? Quite unlikely Reading would provide on-campus parking to undergraduate students.
Reply 3
11
Original post
by meenu89just the thought of spending that much time travelling... your Mum is expecting way too much from you.
somehow you will have to do what you want to do, otherwise you will blame your Mum for you doing what she wants you to do.
somehow you will have to do what you want to do, otherwise you will blame your Mum for you doing what she wants you to do.
It does seem like a lot, she says she's trying to protect me from the reaction of the rest of my family and I really get that, it's just a lot, though I think I'm planning to take the train now at least so it's not just wasted time. I will have to wait and see about offers and everything tho because the switch is after the equal consideration deadline at the end of the day, and I don't know how likely that is to affect that, tho I spoke to someone on the ucas live chat and they were really nice about it
thank you for the advice Reply 4
11
Original post
by cksiuHave you sorted out parking? Quite unlikely Reading would provide on-campus parking to undergraduate students.
I saw there are some parking options but you have to get a permit, but that's a really good point thank you
Original post
by enteranameMy mum wants me to switch one of my choices that's a bit further away (Edinburgh) to a closer uni (Reading), which I don't mind too much (though I really do like Edinburgh so I'm considering swapping Durham for Reading instead). However, she wants me to drive to Reading and back every day, and the journey there is about 50+ miles, and it's showing as 1hour 7 minutes on google maps now. That would be about 2 hours daily / 100+ miles, not taking into account traffic, road works, and all other potential delays. Alongside that, she expects me to do part time work, and lie about the fact I'm going to uni so none of my family (except her) knows that I'm going. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit too much? I'd consider coming home every/most weekends from Reading, but every day feels like a lot. Does anyone have any ideas of what an example timetable would be like and if I'd need to be there every day, or if I'm just overestimating the time that'd be spent there and travelling this much is ok? I'd be switching to study classics there, so if anyone has any classics-specific experience at Reading that'd be great please thank you
thank youThat's not a feasible commute for a full time student, especially when driving since as mentioned generally unless you have accessibility/medical requirements, you most likely will not be able to park on campus and will need to park likely a fair ways away.
Go to Reading if you wish to, recognising that you would need to move out and live in halls, but that you'd be closer to visit home on weekends if you wanted. Don't pick Reading on the basis of your parents expectation to spend 10-15 hours a week driving to uni (which may end up being more time in your car than in lectures...).
Driving every day is a non starter though, don't even consider it. It's not an option at all so make it clear that's not on the table should you go to Reading.
Reply 6
12
Original post
by enteranameMy mum wants me to switch one of my choices that's a bit further away (Edinburgh) to a closer uni (Reading), which I don't mind too much (though I really do like Edinburgh so I'm considering swapping Durham for Reading instead). However, she wants me to drive to Reading and back every day, and the journey there is about 50+ miles, and it's showing as 1hour 7 minutes on google maps now. That would be about 2 hours daily / 100+ miles, not taking into account traffic, road works, and all other potential delays. Alongside that, she expects me to do part time work, and lie about the fact I'm going to uni so none of my family (except her) knows that I'm going. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit too much? I'd consider coming home every/most weekends from Reading, but every day feels like a lot. Does anyone have any ideas of what an example timetable would be like and if I'd need to be there every day, or if I'm just overestimating the time that'd be spent there and travelling this much is ok? I'd be switching to study classics there, so if anyone has any classics-specific experience at Reading that'd be great please thank you
thank youI commute 2 hours to uni, 1 hour on the tube and 1 hour on the university bus tbh sometimes I get tired specially having to wake up at 4:30 am for 9 am lectures
Reply 7
Original post
by enteranameMy mum wants me to switch one of my choices that's a bit further away (Edinburgh) to a closer uni (Reading), which I don't mind too much (though I really do like Edinburgh so I'm considering swapping Durham for Reading instead). However, she wants me to drive to Reading and back every day, and the journey there is about 50+ miles, and it's showing as 1hour 7 minutes on google maps now. That would be about 2 hours daily / 100+ miles, not taking into account traffic, road works, and all other potential delays. Alongside that, she expects me to do part time work, and lie about the fact I'm going to uni so none of my family (except her) knows that I'm going. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit too much? I'd consider coming home every/most weekends from Reading, but every day feels like a lot. Does anyone have any ideas of what an example timetable would be like and if I'd need to be there every day, or if I'm just overestimating the time that'd be spent there and travelling this much is ok? I'd be switching to study classics there, so if anyone has any classics-specific experience at Reading that'd be great please thank you
thank youGood evening,
I am a current commuter student at the University of Reading and happy to answer any questions you may have.
I currently commute 1 hour to University and 1 hour home. I have done this every day for the past year. As a commuter student, I attended the commuter student socials and have lots of friends who also commute. Some of my friends commute over 1 hour, while others commute for only 30 minutes. So it is definitely doable, and there is a whole commuting community at the University of Reading.
There is the Commuters Society, the Commuting Students Official Facebook Group, a Commuter Student Guide, and a Commuter Travel Bursary. The bursary is only for public transport costs, but it could be beneficial if you decide to take the train or bus.
There is some Student parking; you can find more information about this on Campus Services. Also, there is a free park and ride service from Mereoak (Junction 11, M4), using the Reading Buses 300 service (Hospital P&R) to Whiteknights campus and London Road campus, simply by showing your University ID card; it's a sustainable way to avoid campus parking issues, with free parking at Mereoak included.
I hope this information is helpful, and I recommend looking at all of the different webpages, as they have very useful information.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology
Reply 8
11
Original post
by artful_loungerThat's not a feasible commute for a full time student, especially when driving since as mentioned generally unless you have accessibility/medical requirements, you most likely will not be able to park on campus and will need to park likely a fair ways away.
Go to Reading if you wish to, recognising that you would need to move out and live in halls, but that you'd be closer to visit home on weekends if you wanted. Don't pick Reading on the basis of your parents expectation to spend 10-15 hours a week driving to uni (which may end up being more time in your car than in lectures...).
Driving every day is a non starter though, don't even consider it. It's not an option at all so make it clear that's not on the table should you go to Reading.
Go to Reading if you wish to, recognising that you would need to move out and live in halls, but that you'd be closer to visit home on weekends if you wanted. Don't pick Reading on the basis of your parents expectation to spend 10-15 hours a week driving to uni (which may end up being more time in your car than in lectures...).
Driving every day is a non starter though, don't even consider it. It's not an option at all so make it clear that's not on the table should you go to Reading.
Thank you! I've looked into the train as an option instead and that seems a bit better, as I won't have to actually drive so I can try to be a bit more productive in that time I guess.
Reply 9
11
Original post
by Noname60I commute 2 hours to uni, 1 hour on the tube and 1 hour on the university bus tbh sometimes I get tired specially having to wake up at 4:30 am for 9 am lectures
Oh that does sound quite a lot, how often do you have to do that and how much do you think it impacts you?
Reply 10
11
Original post
by UniofReadingGood evening,
I am a current commuter student at the University of Reading and happy to answer any questions you may have.
I currently commute 1 hour to University and 1 hour home. I have done this every day for the past year. As a commuter student, I attended the commuter student socials and have lots of friends who also commute. Some of my friends commute over 1 hour, while others commute for only 30 minutes. So it is definitely doable, and there is a whole commuting community at the University of Reading.
There is the Commuters Society, the Commuting Students Official Facebook Group, a Commuter Student Guide, and a Commuter Travel Bursary. The bursary is only for public transport costs, but it could be beneficial if you decide to take the train or bus.
There is some Student parking; you can find more information about this on Campus Services. Also, there is a free park and ride service from Mereoak (Junction 11, M4), using the Reading Buses 300 service (Hospital P&R) to Whiteknights campus and London Road campus, simply by showing your University ID card; it's a sustainable way to avoid campus parking issues, with free parking at Mereoak included.
I hope this information is helpful, and I recommend looking at all of the different webpages, as they have very useful information.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology
I am a current commuter student at the University of Reading and happy to answer any questions you may have.
I currently commute 1 hour to University and 1 hour home. I have done this every day for the past year. As a commuter student, I attended the commuter student socials and have lots of friends who also commute. Some of my friends commute over 1 hour, while others commute for only 30 minutes. So it is definitely doable, and there is a whole commuting community at the University of Reading.
There is the Commuters Society, the Commuting Students Official Facebook Group, a Commuter Student Guide, and a Commuter Travel Bursary. The bursary is only for public transport costs, but it could be beneficial if you decide to take the train or bus.
There is some Student parking; you can find more information about this on Campus Services. Also, there is a free park and ride service from Mereoak (Junction 11, M4), using the Reading Buses 300 service (Hospital P&R) to Whiteknights campus and London Road campus, simply by showing your University ID card; it's a sustainable way to avoid campus parking issues, with free parking at Mereoak included.
I hope this information is helpful, and I recommend looking at all of the different webpages, as they have very useful information.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology
Thank you so much, that's really helpful
Reply 11
Original post
by enteranameThank you! I've looked into the train as an option instead and that seems a bit better, as I won't have to actually drive so I can try to be a bit more productive in that time I guess.
As someone with a long train commute to uni (albeit I study part time): it's also not really feasible to have a long train journey, and you won't be as productive as you think on the train (nor should you be). To begin with particularly if you have to travel in peak times the odds of getting a proper table to sit and work at are quite low, and the flip down tables are very awkward to do work on. Secondly, and this is actually quite important and something our first year adviser pointed out to me - commutes are very draining, and spending the time during them working makes them even more so. You need to be able to (and should) take the commute time as "rest time" to mitigate the potential for burnout. After I started doing that it really helped my commute become...well not even tolerable but less awful.
I'd also just highlight you should be working out the commute times "door to door" - this includes e.g. finding parking then walking from where you parked to the uni, or for trains getting to and from the train station. Especially when you account for waiting for trains, and even worse if you have multiple legs of the journey (e.g. train to bus to walking to the end point or similar), you have to add in those wait times to understand the full impact (also while bearing mind multi-leg journeys are much more sensitive to delays and cancellations and even one such thing can make what could be a straightforward 35 minute commute take 2+ hours or completely write off the trip - and potentially strand you somewhere).
Also consider what the commute will be like in the worst situation (because it will happen) - commuting in for a 9am lecture in the dead of winter during a snowstorm, for example. Commuting home after 6pm in driving rain. Multiple delays/cancellations on key days (how will you manage exam periods? Can you rely on your commute to get you there on time on the day? If not do you need to plan to stay in a hotel or something anyway the night before?). These things will happen at some point during your academic career if you're a commuter student so you need to expect that. Of course also add on to this the social impact - it's very hard to be active in societies and/or spend substantial amounts of time with other people on your course/at the uni when you commute, because you'll always have the voice in the back of your head saying "well this event starts at 6 which means it won't finish till after 8 which means by the time I get home it'll be gone 10...is it worth it?".
To be blunt, as someone with a long (>1 hour on the train plus additional time either side travelling beween train stations and destinations) commute, even as a part-time student it's pretty brutal and I'm frequently wavering on the borders of burnout. For a full time student I really don't recommend commuting at all if there's any alternative and certainly not more than e.g. 30-40 minutes door to door outside of London (within London with the tube the situation may be slightly different). Certainly I would not suggest more than an hour door to door for a full time student outside London. I don't see this is feasible and more to the point - I don't see any reason it should be under consideration anyway. This is your parent's problem that they want to keep you living at home, not yours.
While I understand if you had e.g. caring commitments, a mortgage, children of your own, were working in a career level (or close) role (i.e. not retail/customer service/food service/basic clerical work that you could do anywhere) that you can't just up and leave, (especially as a mature student) then there is a valid reason to consider commuting and or restricting the scope of the unis you'll go to. But if you're a school leaver without any of those commitments - the world is your oyster! Pick the uni you want to go to! If it's far away, consider your wellbeing and if that is suitable for that purpose but don't necessarily let it deter you! Going to uni is often a rare opportunity to move further across the country to new places, meet new people, and do new things - don't limit your experiences unless there's a really good and necessary reason to
(edited 4 weeks ago)
Reply 12
Original post
by UniofReadingGood evening,
I am a current commuter student at the University of Reading and happy to answer any questions you may have.
I currently commute 1 hour to University and 1 hour home. I have done this every day for the past year. As a commuter student, I attended the commuter student socials and have lots of friends who also commute. Some of my friends commute over 1 hour, while others commute for only 30 minutes. So it is definitely doable, and there is a whole commuting community at the University of Reading.
There is the Commuters Society, the Commuting Students Official Facebook Group, a Commuter Student Guide, and a Commuter Travel Bursary. The bursary is only for public transport costs, but it could be beneficial if you decide to take the train or bus.
There is some Student parking; you can find more information about this on Campus Services. Also, there is a free park and ride service from Mereoak (Junction 11, M4), using the Reading Buses 300 service (Hospital P&R) to Whiteknights campus and London Road campus, simply by showing your University ID card; it's a sustainable way to avoid campus parking issues, with free parking at Mereoak included.
I hope this information is helpful, and I recommend looking at all of the different webpages, as they have very useful information.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology
I am a current commuter student at the University of Reading and happy to answer any questions you may have.
I currently commute 1 hour to University and 1 hour home. I have done this every day for the past year. As a commuter student, I attended the commuter student socials and have lots of friends who also commute. Some of my friends commute over 1 hour, while others commute for only 30 minutes. So it is definitely doable, and there is a whole commuting community at the University of Reading.
There is the Commuters Society, the Commuting Students Official Facebook Group, a Commuter Student Guide, and a Commuter Travel Bursary. The bursary is only for public transport costs, but it could be beneficial if you decide to take the train or bus.
There is some Student parking; you can find more information about this on Campus Services. Also, there is a free park and ride service from Mereoak (Junction 11, M4), using the Reading Buses 300 service (Hospital P&R) to Whiteknights campus and London Road campus, simply by showing your University ID card; it's a sustainable way to avoid campus parking issues, with free parking at Mereoak included.
I hope this information is helpful, and I recommend looking at all of the different webpages, as they have very useful information.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology
I would second this as a commuter student traveling around the same, its certainly doable if you plan and you do save a lot, any more questions, ,let me know, here at Reading we do have events in the day too 🙂
Kind Regards,
Sid
•
UoR Student Ambassador
•
LLB Law w/ International Business (Yr1)
•
Business Management (Foundation)
Reply 13
Original post
by UniofReadingI would second this as a commuter student traveling around the same, its certainly doable if you plan and you do save a lot, any more questions, ,let me know, here at Reading we do have events in the day too 🙂
Kind Regards,
Sid
my working day is: thursday
Kind Regards,
Sid
•
UoR Student Ambassador
•
LLB Law w/ International Business (Yr1)
•
Business Management (Foundation)
You aren't studying Engineering though ...
Reply 14
Original post
by enteranameMy mum wants me to switch one of my choices that's a bit further away (Edinburgh) to a closer uni (Reading), which I don't mind too much (though I really do like Edinburgh so I'm considering swapping Durham for Reading instead). However, she wants me to drive to Reading and back every day, and the journey there is about 50+ miles, and it's showing as 1hour 7 minutes on google maps now. That would be about 2 hours daily / 100+ miles, not taking into account traffic, road works, and all other potential delays. Alongside that, she expects me to do part time work, and lie about the fact I'm going to uni so none of my family (except her) knows that I'm going. Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is a bit too much? I'd consider coming home every/most weekends from Reading, but every day feels like a lot. Does anyone have any ideas of what an example timetable would be like and if I'd need to be there every day, or if I'm just overestimating the time that'd be spent there and travelling this much is ok? I'd be switching to study classics there, so if anyone has any classics-specific experience at Reading that'd be great please thank you
thank youYou need to choose your own university and please do not commute for this sort of time. An Engineering degree has a lot of contact time - lectures, workshops etc and you will burn out.
Reply 15
Wow. A few red flags in your message.
This is YOUR one shot. Do what YOU want! Don’t live with any regrets.
I personally think you’re mad for wanting to switch Durham (one of the top) for Reading (so far down the list in comparison) Edinburgh is higher up the ranks too.
You won’t get the full university experience if you are going to commute all the time. It’ll stop you socialising, nights out, study time with friends, dinners. You’ll be spending hours and hours over 3 years in a car or train. I personally think you’ll love to regret this and it may affect your final grade. You’ll be tired. Stressed.
I can’t remember the exact saying but it’s basically saying don’t bother going to uni if you stay at home.
Half of it is for the experience.
Follow your dreams
Not your mums or your families
There’s funding for housing etc at uni. Go for it. Be you and live the life YOU want
This is YOUR one shot. Do what YOU want! Don’t live with any regrets.
I personally think you’re mad for wanting to switch Durham (one of the top) for Reading (so far down the list in comparison) Edinburgh is higher up the ranks too.
You won’t get the full university experience if you are going to commute all the time. It’ll stop you socialising, nights out, study time with friends, dinners. You’ll be spending hours and hours over 3 years in a car or train. I personally think you’ll love to regret this and it may affect your final grade. You’ll be tired. Stressed.
I can’t remember the exact saying but it’s basically saying don’t bother going to uni if you stay at home.
Half of it is for the experience.
Follow your dreams
Not your mums or your families
There’s funding for housing etc at uni. Go for it. Be you and live the life YOU want
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