Why I chose to commute to university

When considering going to university, there is a lot to think about, and with the ever-growing pressure of the cost of living, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where you want to live.

In this blog, we chat with Marissa Loureiro, who is about to embark on her third year studying Business Management with Marketing BSC(Hons), and commutes to the University of Brighton from her home in Haywards Heath. We cover:

• why Marissa chose to commute to university
• her subject of interest – and why Brighton
• what her daily travel routine looks like
• the benefits of living at home and commuting
• socialising on campus and making friends
• tips and advice for anyone thinking of commuting
• how the Brighton Boost can support you with travel costs and parking.

Living at home and commuting

“The high cost of living in Brighton made commuting from home a no brainer, especially since I live nearby. Plus, the Moulsecoomb campus has a train station very closely, making my commute even easier. I commute from Hayward’s Heath by train.”

Studying a subject, I’m interested in

“I chose to study Business Management with Marketing BCs(Hons) at the University Brighton because my interest in marketing was sparked during my GCSE and A Level business course. I found the marketing modules very interesting, especially branding, pitching, and using my creative skills. My experience in my early studies inspired me to develop further in this subject and pursue it to a higher level.

“The University of Brighton was the perfect choice for me. I was particularly drawn to this course due to the modules, especially the ones including teamwork assignments, as this allowed me to develop stronger collaboration skills, which are essential for my future career.

“The University of Brighton also offered support with placements and guidance for interviews which I really liked. Being a second-year student, I can now say their guidance and resources gave me the confidence to actively seek experience in the industry.”

My daily travel routine

“I travel to university at least three times a week depending on my timetable and meeting friends to study. It takes around 40 minutes due to not having a direct train. The only issues I face is train delays or train strikes. I always give myself extra time just in case I need to make an alternative commute e.g bus.”

Benefits of commuting

“My main reason for commuting to university is because it is cheaper, I also like to have my own space. It also allows me to work alongside my studying and pick up more hours due to not needing to travel too far. Being able to see my home and university friends regularly is another advantage.”

Spending time on campus

“When I am not in lectures, I like to go to the  Cockcroft building where there is a canteen, café and a shop to get some food and drinks (there is a Starbucks too). Also, there is a library in this building making it easier to go straight to this building. The library allows you to book a room which is perfect when you want to study with your friends and rehearsing for a presentation.

“I do also like to study in Elm House with my friends, as their café is spacious and convenient when we have a small gap between my lectures.”

Socialising and making friends

“This university is great for meeting new people especially as some of my modules has a variety of people from different courses.

“When I first started university, I made friends through my course and then met some of their friends who are in halls. I did make effort talking to people on my course before and after lectures to build stronger friendships.

“I socialise with friends in my course and outside my course. Sometimes we go out for lunch or dinner around Brighton and even to the beach when it is sunny. We do also like to spend time near the marina as we like to go to crazy golf, bowling and the cinema (not all in one day though😁).”

Tips for new students

If you are planning on commuting to university this September, here are our top tips:

• Research travel discounts – apply for student railcards and do some research into the cheapest times to travel, to help with the financial cost.
• Plan ahead of time – organise your bag, packed lunch or anything you will need (including laptop and phone chargers) the night before travelling to uni.
• Check your journey in advance – make sure there are no potential disruptions such as delayed or cancelled trains, road works etc.
• Maximise your travel time – use your journey to catch up on emails, study, reading and listen to podcasts.
• Join a society or sports club – this is a great way to meet like-minded people in addition to those on your course.
• Utilize the campus facilities – make the most of the social spaces, cafes, canteens and libraries in between classes.

New for 2024 – the Brighton Boost!

The Brighton Boost is a new initiative for 2024 offering new students discounts and bursaries to support you with the cost of living and university services to make every day life that little bit easier, including:

• Support with halls costs
• Financial help towards travel costs
• Free student parking on campus
• Free technology loan scheme
• Brighton Students Jobs Hub
• BSU Essentials

You can find all the details about the Brighton Boost over on the university website.