My name is Batuhan, and I’m a first-year PhD student in Law. Before starting my PhD, I completed my master’s degree in Bournemouth and later gained work experience in London. When I received my PhD offer from Surrey, I was already living in London, so I spent a lot of time thinking about whether I should move closer to campus or continue living elsewhere and commute.
After carefully considering my options, I decided to move to Reading instead. There were several reasons behind this decision. Reading is relatively close to the University of Surrey and has frequent, affordable, and reliable train connections to Guildford. It’s also very well connected to London and the London airports. I also have friends living in Reading, which made the move feel much easier. All of this led me to rent a one-bedroom with a small garden here, and so far, it’s been a decision that works well for me.
As a PhD student, my schedule is quite flexible. I don’t have any classes, so I mainly travel to campus for conferences, workshops, supervision meetings, and seminars. Because I’m not required to be on campus every single day, commuting fits naturally into my routine.
On days when I commute, I usually buy my train tickets the day before, although prices tend to stay consistent. With a railcard, which I strongly recommend for any commuter student, I typically pay around £8.55 for an off-peak return or about £12 during peak hours. A railcard really makes a difference and saves a significant amount of money over time. I try to make my train journey productive by reading, answering emails, or preparing for meetings.
The train journey from Reading to Guildford takes around 35–45 minutes. I’ve been quite lucky this year, as I haven’t experienced any major delays or cancellations. Once I arrive at Guildford station, the campus is within walking distance, which makes the journey even more convenient.
When I arrive on campus, one of the first things I like to do is take a short walk around the lake. I find it peaceful and motivating. My favourite cafe on campus is the Lakeside Coffee, and my go-to order is an oat latte, but they have a great range of drinks.
After I’m done on campus, I almost always stop by Guildford town centre. One of my favourite spots is Fresco Delicatessen, a Greek bakery where I usually pick up some bougatsa. Another hidden gem for me is the Oxfam bookshop in Guildford. It’s one of the best charity bookshops I’ve visited, with an impressive selection. I recently found a company law book I’d been searching for a long time.
Overall, commuting from Reading has been a very positive experience for me. It’s affordable, convenient, and fits perfectly with my PhD lifestyle.
