Commuting to university can take a little getting used to, but you're definitely not the only one doing it. Lots of Queen Mary students travel to campus each day, and with great transport links, commuting can be a convenient and cost-effective way to study.
The trick is finding a routine that works for you. Your commute can be time to catch up on work, listen to something you love, meet other commuters or simply switch off.
Here are a few ways to make the most of it:
Tune In and Zone Out
Podcasts, audiobooks, playlists or your latest musical obsession. Download your favourites before you leave so you're not relying on mobile data or a dodgy underground connection.
Not every commute needs to be productive. Sometimes zoning out with your headphones on is exactly what you need.
Read on the way
Your commute can be a handy time to get through course reading, especially if you've downloaded your materials in advance.
Check QMplus and the Queen Mary Library for digital versions of your academic reading, and remember that the Library also has books available to borrow, including its leisure collection if you fancy something that's not on your reading list.
Get a head start
If you have a longer journey and feel like getting some planning (uni or otherwise) done, use your travel time to tackle smaller tasks.
Do some journalling, write a check list, or complete some life admin. Download anything you need beforehand so you can work offline when your signal disappears into the Underground.
But remember: you don't have to work on every journey.
Take some time out
Your commute can also be your downtime.
Meditate, think things through, read something for fun, look out the window, play a game or simply do absolutely nothing for a while. Giving yourself time to switch off can make the transition between home and university feel much easier.
Commuter Hacks:
Save on travel: If you're eligible, a 16-25 Railcard can save you 1/3 on eligible train fares. There are also other Railcard options depending on your age and circumstances, so check which one you're eligible for.
Travel light: Don't carry everything you own to campus. Download digital reading where you can and make use of Queen Mary's Library resources. Need a laptop? Check out the Library's laptop loan service to see what's available.
Store your stuff: Mile End campus has storage lockers in the Francis Bancroft Building, so you don't necessarily need to carry everything around all day.
Make a day of it: You don't have to disappear the second your last class finishes. Stay on campus for a society social, grab food, use the Library, work in a study space, head to Qmotion or hang out in Students' Union spaces like Ground Café and The Hub. It's also a great way to meet people and get more out of campus life.
Plan your journey: Check your route before you leave and keep an eye out for delays, closures or planned disruption. It can also help to save the contact details of a few course mates. If you miss a class because of travel problems, you'll have someone to ask about what you missed.
Bring your own snacks: Buying food and drinks on the go can quickly add up. Pack a snack or lunch when you can and save your money for something more exciting later.
Find your commuter crew
One of the biggest challenges of commuting can be feeling like you're missing out on the social side of university. You don't have to.
Join a society, stay on campus after class, go to events and look out for commuter-specific socials. There are plenty of other students making the same journey as you.
You might start university as a commuter. Before long, you could have a whole campus full of familiar faces.
Check out our events programme and find something to get involved with.