Hi, I’m Tina, a second-year law student who commutes to university from Godalming. Godalming is a quaint countryside town around four miles south of Guildford, and while I could drive, take the bus or even cycle, I chose to travel by train. I have lived in Godalming since first year, and my commute is a five-minute walk to the station, a nine-minute train journey, and then a short walk up to campus.
I chose to live in Godalming because I have a dog and wanted to be somewhere green, with easy access to walking and hiking trails, while still being close to the university. Living just outside Guildford gives me the best of both worlds, peaceful countryside living without feeling disconnected from student life.
When I first started university, I was worried that commuting might make it harder to make friends or take part in social activities. In reality, it has not been a hindrance at all. I am quite intentional about how I organise my time: on days when I only have one or two lectures, I plan coffee dates or casual hangouts with friends. That way, I get to socialise without needing to make a separate trip into Guildford just to see people. At weekends, I often invite friends to visit me in Godalming, and our favourite things to do include playing Scrabble, going for walks along the river, hunting for bargains in the charity shops, and cooking and hosting dinner together.
On campus, I have a few favourite places to study and relax with friends. The Dot in Senate House is always a go-to, as is the Law School common room and the group study areas in the library. During the warmer months, sitting by the lake is one of the best places to unwind between classes. When it comes to lunch, a Co-op meal deal is hard to beat for value, but my weekly highlight is the dumplings from the Nepalese food truck outside the Students’ Union on Thursdays.
There are also plenty of resources that have made commuting a positive part of my university experience. Travel costs can quickly add up, so having a railcard or a student bus pass makes a big difference. The university and the Students’ Union run a commuter network and regular meetups, as well as events during orientation week specifically for commuting students, which really help you meet people and avoid feeling isolated during Freshers’ Week. The Hive has also been incredibly helpful with timetable issues, such as large gaps between classes, especially when factoring in commute times and other responsibilities.
Overall, I have found that both my peers and the university have created a genuinely welcoming and inclusive environment for commuters. Rather than being an inconvenience, my daily journey has become a chance to relax, reflect, and mentally switch between home and university life.
