Friday 08-09-2023 - 13:02

 

Commuting to uni can seem quite daunting at first, but you’ll find your rhythm in no time. Whether you’re travelling by train, bus, tram, bike or car, we’ve got you covered with some top tips to make the journey as smooth as possible. 

 

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🚏 Get a railcard or bus pass

 

This may seem like a pretty obvious one, but it’s amazing how much you can save just by buying a railcard and/or bus pass. The 16-25 or 26-30 railcard saves you ⅓ of the price on every single ticket, plus you can download your card straight to your phone, so you’ll never forget it. 

You can also get yourself a bus pass, ranging from weekly to yearly travel, from The Union’s finance office. 

 

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🚃 Go on a practice-run

 

Commuting can feel very nerve-wracking at first, especially if you’ve never done it before. It’s a great idea to go on a practice-run before the real thing to help put your mind at ease.  

Whether it’s hopping on the bus to find your new stop, popping out in the car for a drive into the city, or jumping on the train for a test-run, follow it up with a lovely day exploring the city and your new campus.   

 

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🚧 Stay up-to-date 

 

Train Strikes and road closures aren’t uncommon these days and can really affect those commuting into University.  

Always check your journey ahead of time, whether this means researching the quickest routes according to Google/Apple maps every morning, or keeping an eye on the Trainline app for any delays or cancellations. In this case, stay in touch with your tutors, they’re there to support you and ensure you don’t miss any important info. 

 

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⚽️📚 Utilise your time

 

When commuting, you can find yourself with quite a bit of free time between lectures and seminars so why not make the most of it.  

Get some work done for your assignments, take a minute to unwind and relax in The Union’s Cafe, or join a club or society to learn some new skills or practise what you love. 

If you’re travelling by train, you can also use this time to get some work done, which means you can relax and unwind once you get home. Northern Rail has free Wi-Fi, tables and most have USB ports under every seat, making it the perfect environment to get ahead on some of your assignments.  

 

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🎶 Make the journey fun

 

No matter the length of the journey, travelling can sometimes feel a bit on the boring side. But, there’s so many things you can do to make it enjoyable - listen to your fave music, find a new podcast to keep you entertained, or indulge in a new book.  

 

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🎟️ Check out our events

 

One thing that often creates a bit of stress for commuter students is making new friends whilst at uni. Well, there’s no need to worry, commuters make up almost ⅓ of Manchester Met students so you’re definitely not alone.  

A great way to get yourself out there and start meeting new people is through The Union’s events - check out what’s on such as our iconic Freshers Fair. We even have several Commuters Chat & Chill events especially for you to meet other people in the same boat. 

 

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‼️ Stay Safe

 

Most importantly, stay safe whilst travelling! Always be aware of your surroundings and stay alert on your journey. If you’re using public transport, make sure to know your stop and keep a track of where you are, always be aware of where your exits and emergency call buttons are in case you ever need them.