Commuting ?

clio96

Anyone commuting to college? Do you miss out on a lot vs living near campus. Looking at all options I'm an hour drive from campus

MadYaker

If you can at all I would try and find accommodation in Galway city near campus. Living at home is a pain in arse, especially for nights out. Living in a house with other students is a lot more fun and a lot more convenient, especially if you plan and joining a few clubs and societies which run stuff at evenings or weekends.

Lapin

I commute an hour each way daily.

It doesn't bother me as I've been doing the journey for years and I'm well used to it. But it can be a hassle for early lectures and I'm thinking of getting a place near campus for next year fro mon - Fri.

Also there are a lot of college related events happening on campus in the evenings and it would be a shame to miss out on these.

Overall I'd recommend moving to Galway if you can.

clio96

Yeah the idea of staying near campus seems like a better idea, would be a lot better to be nearer, thinking of defering for a year since I have a job at moment and won't get maintenance on grant ether way I'd say.

Deirdre5

Yeah I'm about 45 min drive away and I take the bus in and out every day. It's a pain and would much rather to live on campus but could never afford it. I'd advise getting a car instead if you don't want to move in. I tend to miss out a lot on lectures and societies as everything depends on my bus timetable.

clio96

Thanks its good to hear from someone whos commuting id be about same distance as you and car seems like best option bus services isnt great here haha

dropping_bombs

I drive about an hour into and out of college every day. It's hell, I really wouldn't recommend it. It's difficult to manage nights out, and getting up super early every morning to be in on time really starts to take its toll around this time of the year, mentally.

clio96

Yeah the idea of havin to miss a lot of nights out put me off a bit and id say itd be tough aswell travelling every day! Have a lot of thinking to do!

The Lost Sheep

clio96 wrote: »

Yeah the idea of havin to miss a lot of nights out put me off a bit and id say itd be tough aswell travelling every day! Have a lot of thinking to do!

If your timetable suited your commute it would be fine but if you are an hour away and have a lot of early starts and late finishes you will have some very long days and you have to take that into account.
On a previous course I was on when I was commuting I started classes at 9 or 10 every day and only finished before 4pm on a Friday and 2-3 days a week I had classes until 6. Starting at 9/10 meant a bus at 7.30am and between everything I wasn't home virtually every day until 7.30pm.
Missing nights out shouldn't be that a big deal. When I lived at home I picked in advance nights to go out and arranged places to stay etc but there was no real random nights out which was a downside to not living in the city but wasn't that big a deal.
Don't just think about missing nights out. Think about how living at home/in the city will affect your study etc which is more important than missing the odd night out etc

retro:electro

I commute everyday and it doesn't bother me too much as my earliest lectures have been at eleven so being an hour away means I don't have to get up too early. Next year though I have one 9am start so will probably stay with a friend the night before for that one.

Gatame

I've found that the closer you live to college the harder it is to go in for lectures! That being said you can get some all right houses in around the city centre (5-15 min walk) for a lot cheaper than the dedicated student accommodation. Quite a few areas in and around Woodquay which go upon daft.ie (etc.) for the coming academic year in July/August.

clio96

Hahaha really! Ill hafta sort something out im considering differing since im working now and to get a car

witnessmenow

Commuting does not save as much money as you might think.

I commute to Galway for work, it takes me about 45 - 60 mins mostly motorway.

I drive a fairly efficient diesel car, but I still use about a tank of diesel a week which costs me ~€75 so €300 a month

Tolls cost me roughly €20 a week so €80 a month

So that's €380 a month. If you dont plan to have a car if you stayed in Galway you also need to add the price of the car, inssurance, tax and NCTs. Even if you do plan to have a car anyways you also need to factor in higher tyres costs and car maintenance

I think if you can manage it you should try find somewhere to cheap to stay, even if its a small single bed box room, you'd miss out on a lot of what college has to offer

Another thing you might miss are extra curricular activities: clubs and societies and the like. These generally meet in the evening so you might not be able to attend.

I lived at home during college and did feel like I was missing out somewhat.

Having a home cooked dinner every evening was good, wondering what time I would be home every evening wasn't so good.