How long is too long to commute for sixth form?

11

I'm struggling to pick between two sixth forms: St Dominics, Harrow and Cardinal Wiseman, Greenford. Both are rated outstanding and are genuinely good sixth forms but Cardinal Wiseman is closer (20 mins without traffic) whereas St Doms is 50mims without traffic. I like St Doms more and personally think it's better but my parents say the commute is too long and I could spend that time revising for my A levels. Thoughts? Especially if anyone goes to those sixth forms perchance.
Which should I pick?

Reply 1

UniofLawstudent2

Official Rep

11

Original post

by a1ici4

I'm struggling to pick between two sixth forms: St Dominics, Harrow and Cardinal Wiseman, Greenford. Both are rated outstanding and are genuinely good sixth forms but Cardinal Wiseman is closer (20 mins without traffic) whereas St Doms is 50mims without traffic. I like St Doms more and personally think it's better but my parents say the commute is too long and I could spend that time revising for my A levels. Thoughts? Especially if anyone goes to those sixth forms perchance.
Which should I pick?

Hi,
If you genuinely prefer St Dominic’s, that matters, you’ll be there for two years, and liking the environment can make a big difference to motivation.
That said, a 50-minute commute each way (nearly 2 hours a day) adds up. It’s not just revision time, it’s energy. Long travel can be draining, especially during exam season.
Ask yourself honestly:

•

Will you actually use that extra hour and a half from the shorter commute productively?

•

Or will you feel more motivated at the school you prefer?

If you’re disciplined and don’t mind travel, pick St Doms. If you value routine, rest, and lower daily stress, Wiseman is the safer choice, you have to consider which one you would rather be at for a 9am class.
Both are strong academically as you say, this decision is really about lifestyle and sustainability.

Good luck with sixth form,
Alfred.

Reply 2

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

18

Hi @a1ici4

I don't think 50 mins is that bad for a commute if I'm honest with you- if it will make you happy it's worth doing.
A lot of my friends when we went to sixth form had to get 2 busses to their college (1 hour journey traffic dependant)!

I think if it would be sustainable for you in your life go for it why not!

Regards,
Maya
BCU Student REP

Reply 3

a1ici4

OP

11

Original post

by BCU Student Rep

Hi @a1ici4
I don't think 50 mins is that bad for a commute if I'm honest with you- if it will make you happy it's worth doing.
A lot of my friends when we went to sixth form had to get 2 busses to their college (1 hour journey traffic dependant)!
I think if it would be sustainable for you in your life go for it why not!
Regards,
Maya
BCU Student REP

I applied to take bio chem and maths and maybe further maths bcs i just like maths. Do u think the hour commute is too much to do a 4th a level or is it manageable?

Reply 4

artful_lounger

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by a1ici4

I'm struggling to pick between two sixth forms: St Dominics, Harrow and Cardinal Wiseman, Greenford. Both are rated outstanding and are genuinely good sixth forms but Cardinal Wiseman is closer (20 mins without traffic) whereas St Doms is 50mims without traffic. I like St Doms more and personally think it's better but my parents say the commute is too long and I could spend that time revising for my A levels. Thoughts? Especially if anyone goes to those sixth forms perchance.
Which should I pick?

I think 50 minutes is not unreasonable subject to traffic conditions. However if it turns out the reality is that every time you go to school/go home it's in peak traffic and so the real door to door time is more than an hour that might be less sustainable.

Reply 5

meek-acorn

9

Original post

by a1ici4

I'm struggling to pick between two sixth forms: St Dominics, Harrow and Cardinal Wiseman, Greenford. Both are rated outstanding and are genuinely good sixth forms but Cardinal Wiseman is closer (20 mins without traffic) whereas St Doms is 50mims without traffic. I like St Doms more and personally think it's better but my parents say the commute is too long and I could spend that time revising for my A levels. Thoughts? Especially if anyone goes to those sixth forms perchance.
Which should I pick?

if you prefer one over the other now, your time there will be more enjoyable. I’m assuming your commute times are based on buses not cars. 50 minutes is not bad at all, i travel 40 minutes (or walk an hour+ when the buses fail me…), while i know people who take the train and it takes them an hour and a half to commute. I also know people who could get the bus for 30-50 mins but instead cycle and it takes 20 minutes because they don’t get affected by bus stops or traffic.
I also do 4 alevels, and in terms of making the most of a journey there are plenty of times i’ll do my reading (eng lit) and homework on the bus. travelling further also makes it so once i’m in i’m in - and my frees are spent in the library etc actually doing work rather than procrastinating at home.

Reply 6

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

19

Original post

by a1ici4

I applied to take bio chem and maths and maybe further maths bcs i just like maths. Do u think the hour commute is too much to do a 4th a level or is it manageable?

You could always try doing the 4 and see how you go. You could always drop the 4th in the first few weeks if its too much.
50 minutes is do able. Might not be as good, but it is definately do able.
If you prefer it there, then give it a go. You will be there for 2 years.

Reply 7

annafds9

6

Hey so I wouldnt worry too much about commute!! Doms is a really good school that prepares you for how uni is going to be like aswell as give you that independence that high school sixth forms dont give. Would the commute be 50mins by car or public transports and have you done the route and timed it or is it google maps? Tbh the buses that go up the hill (258 and H17) are very slow service and it is honestly a struggle sometimes but you could always walk it which majority of my friends do! I actually really liked my long commute (it took me roughly and hourish with two buses) because you interact with friends and also because you give yourself more than an hour to get to school, you end up early and can do some work before school starts which is really good especially in year 13

Doms gets study leave in their exams and usually in mocks, exams start at 9am so dont worry too much about exams because you have that time

I dont think you would be able to revise during that time anyway because no one really comes home and revises straight away, they do take breaks and you could use that time to maybe watch videos so youre not “wasting time”

Bio chem maths + Fm - if you want to go down the medicine route i would highly suggest maybe taking fm for the first term so you know all year 1 content and then drop it because the 4th a level does get too much especially during university predictor exams in the summer of year 1 + juggling UCAT + early applications + personal statement so I would be mindful of that

You would rather have really good grades for your three subjects + a strong UCAT score then being mid in all

I go doms so if you want any other advice please pm me!!

Reply 8

Kingston Trenyce

Official Rep

12

Original post

by a1ici4

I'm struggling to pick between two sixth forms: St Dominics, Harrow and Cardinal Wiseman, Greenford. Both are rated outstanding and are genuinely good sixth forms but Cardinal Wiseman is closer (20 mins without traffic) whereas St Doms is 50mims without traffic. I like St Doms more and personally think it's better but my parents say the commute is too long and I could spend that time revising for my A levels. Thoughts? Especially if anyone goes to those sixth forms perchance.
Which should I pick?

Hi, if both are outstanding, I would advise analysing other aspects to compare. If commuting is the deciding factor and you believe it would be better for your wellbeing and academics to go to cardinal wiseman then definitely look into it. An extra hour a day really adds up over two years and that time/energy is better spent revising or resting. But if you feel you could still manage with longer commute esp as you are more fond of St Dominics go for it.

Trenyce (Kingston rep)

(edited 2 weeks ago)

How long is too long to commute for sixth form?

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