Commuting to university isn’t the typical student experience you hear people talking about, but honestly, it works well for me. Travelling from home in Hayes, London, to the University of Surrey has shaped my routine, the way I study and even how I make friends. So, here’s a little look into what my days are like as a commuter student and what I’ve learned on the way.
My mornings start early with a quick walk to catch a bus. Even though I normally drive in day-to-day life, public transport has made my commute feel way more predictable and surprisingly productive. Once I sit down, the journey turns into my quiet time. I like to start with some light reading to wake my brain up. Then, once I’m fully awake, I write out a to-do list for the day. If I have deadlines coming up, I sometimes try to get a bit of work done before I reach campus.
Budgeting as a commuter was something I had to get used to. Travel costs can add up, so planning has helped a lot. I try to book tickets early, use travel cards and avoid buying food on campus every single day. Most days I bring snacks or lunch from home and save café treats for when I really need them. Small habits like this genuinely make a difference without feeling like a big sacrifice.
I usually head to The Hive during the time between my lectures. It’s my favourite spot because it’s chilled, comfy and great for getting small bits of work done without feeling too serious. If I want a change of scenery, I’ll grab a coffee and a pastry from Hillside it has a cosy vibe where I can relax or study with something tasty next to me and maybe even use the time to catch up with my friends with a study session.
One thing I worried about before starting university was making friends as a commuter. I didn’t have flatmates to bond with or shared kitchens to randomly chat in, so I knew I’d have to put myself out there a bit more. Surprisingly, my seminars ended up being the best place to meet people. The smaller groups made it easy to talk, ask questions and slowly form friendships. It was different from the typical halls experience, but it still gave me a sense of community that made being a commuter feel less isolating.
Balancing home life and uni life has been another learning curve. Being at home means it’s easy to fall back into everyday routines, so I’ve had to set little boundaries for myself. When I’m at uni, I try to stay focused. When I’m home, I make time to switch off, relax and spend time with family. Keeping those two worlds separate has helped me stay organised and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
If I could give my first-year self any advice, it would be not to worry about missing out just because you commute. There are so many ways to get involved, meet people and enjoy university life.
I never expected my commute to become one of the most productive parts of my day. Being a commuter isn’t always easy, but it’s helped me create a university experience that feels balanced, independent and completely my own.
By Surrey Business School student Thiviya who travels from Hayes.
