Commuting
Hi, I’m Alice, a third year Psychology student and I’m here to talk about commuting to university during my final year. If you are thinking of commuting to university, rather than accommodation or housing, then I’m going to provide you with some helpful information on what to expect.
Preparing to commute:
Commuting can feel like a hard decision to make at first, but with the right preparation, you can still make the most of the university experience. The first key step is preparing the best travel route. Is there a direct train or bus? Is it viable for you to travel by car?
For me personally, I opted for a direct train into York city centre. It takes less than an hour and is a 15-minute walk away from YSJ.
Beforehand, I worked out the cost of transport and checked the timetables to consider early mornings and late evenings at university. I found that having a 16-25 railcard can help to save money on transport too.
I usually book my trains in advance to get the cheapest tickets and book them with enough time to get to university and do some work before my lectures start.
The commuter experience:
One thing to consider about commuting is to create a routine that works for you! The biggest struggle is the social aspect and managing my time. Finding time to catch up on work is hard, but I make sure I find time in between lectures to utilise the library spaces on campus. To further overcome the boundaries to the social aspects, I make sure to book later trains so that I do not miss out on plans, even if this means arriving home later than expected.
Student experience:
Above all else, commuting has allowed me to have better time management as I have had to create stricter schedules. Commuting is a great way to build independence and resilience skills. It is a unique, yet cost effective way to experience university.
For the early mornings and late nights at university, YSJ offers commuter rooms on 49 Clarence Street for £25 per night. These have been very useful, as not only are they convenient, but they also provide the perfect solo study space with free Wi-Fi and other amenities too, like an ensuite bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Even better, it is a 30-second walk to the university!
Practical tips:
Eating on campus or buying food in the city can become quite costly, so I often prepare my lunches beforehand to bring with me to university. Another essential I like to bring is a charger pack as this will be necessary for your journey and long days at university. Even having extras like a coffee flask and a water bottle can make your commute and day much easier.
Final Thoughts and call to action:
So, if you’re thinking about commuting, then it is indefinably manageable, the vast range of public transport available alongside support and facilities provided by the university makes it all the more manageable and an accessible experience.
Find out more about commuting at YSJ.
