Aodhan's commuting insight

My Commuting Experience

Thinking of commuting to university but unsure whether it’s the right option for you?

I commute to Worcester from a town called Stourbridge. It takes me around 45 minutes to travel to Worcester which isn’t at all that bad considering. I initially took the nearby train to the city but as I became more confident driving I have started to travel in my car. The parking isn’t all that bad although it is about a 10-minute walk from there to the City Campus – which is where I have most my lectures and of course you then have to pay for a parking permit usually around £100 for the year.

The main thing people want to know about commuting is about whether they get to experience the true student social life and the simple answer is – no. However, this can depend on your social life back where you live. For me personally, I already have friends in full time work and most of my closest friends are still local which means I’m accustomed to still going out when I feel like it. For you, this may be different and you may wish to live in Halls to gain that social experience.

Another reason I stayed at home and commuted was because I wanted to keep my local part time job. I never really wanted to risk losing income and since Halls are quite expensive I felt uneasy about spending more and earning less. As well as this, I am still blessed to have cooked meals at home which I don’t have to worry about each night, although I do cook extra daily meals for my gym routine.

Finally, what encouraged me to stay at home was my close family and circle of friends. I have a big family who are all very close and it just feels more comfortable to be staying in this environment and not missing out on family moments. Moving out your comfort zone can be a good thing but for me I guess I know who I am already and feel the change isn’t needed. Then there is my circle of friends who are all productive positive people in my life that I don’t want to distance from.

Ultimately commuting is an option that can work for some and not others. It really does depend on your circumstances. I would encourage anyone who feels that they need to further develop themselves in social situation to try Halls, but if you feel you are already in a good circle you may choose the same option as me. I hope my short insight into my commuting lifestyle can assist you in making up your mind. Good luck