Being a commuter student has become a core part of my everyday routine, and my journey to the University of Surrey is something I’ve grown to genuinely enjoy. I commute from Woking to Guildford, and although the journey is short, it’s carefully planned and fits perfectly into my lifestyle.
My day starts at home with a quick check of train timings on Google Maps. I like knowing
exactly when my train is running, and I always plan to leave around 10 minutes early. That buffer gives me peace of mind and means I’m never rushing. One of the biggest perks of my commute is how close I live to the station, it’s a 30-second walk from my front door to Woking station, which makes early mornings far less stressful.
The train journey itself takes around 12 minutes and is only one or two stops, depending on the service. Because it’s so short, I don’t try to get any work done. Instead, I sit back and enjoy the scenery as it passes by. Watching houses, greenery, and bits of countryside go past helps me mentally transition from home life into uni life and acts as a calm pause before lectures begin. I always buy my tickets at the station and usually get a return ticket. I also have a railcard, which costs £35 per year and has been one of the best investments I’ve made as a student. After 10am, during off-peak hours, it consistently saves me roughly a third on ticket prices. Before 10am, however, there’s a £12 minimum fare when using a railcard, which can make it more expensive than a normal ticket, so I choose whichever option is cheaper.
Once I arrive at Guildford station, the final part of my commute begins. It’s about a 10-minute walk to campus, and I always choose to walk, even though there’s a bus stop right outside the station. That walk helps wake me up properly and gives me time to clear my head before lectures.
Between lectures, having comfortable spaces on campus is really important to me. In the summer, my favourite place to relax is the lake, which is easily the most beautiful spot on campus when the weather is nice. In winter, I usually head to the Surrey Nest, which is warm, cosy, and filled with cushions and comfortable seating, perfect for commuter students who need somewhere to settle.
Food is also a big part of my day. My friends and I usually pick up lunch from the Co-op under the library, where I almost always go for the meal deals. They’re good value and convenient, with options like sandwiches, pasta pots, chicken nuggets, and protein shakes. The microwaves right outside make it easy to heat food quickly between lectures. After eating, we often book group study spaces in the library so we can focus and finish our work on campus. That routine really helps me maintain a balance, as it means I can properly relax once I’m home.
Coffee is another essential part of my uni day. My go-to order is an iced hazelnut latte with oat milk from the Lakeside Coffee Shop in the Rik Medlik Building, often alongside some fresh fruit. Having these go-to places, the lake in summer, Surrey Nest in winter, Co-op meal deals for lunch, group study rooms, and my favourite coffee spot, has shaped my experience as a commuter student. Alongside this, the train journey itself, with its beautiful scenery, and the refreshing walk from Guildford station to campus surrounded by trees, have become parts of my day that I genuinely look forward to. Commuting doesn’t mean missing out, for me, it’s about routine, balance, and making campus feel like a place I truly belong.
