Pains, trains and the 21A from Hanley Bus Station…
Plan travel arrangements
Plain and simple this one. For some of you the choice of how to get into uni will be a simple one; whether it’s by train, bus, car, taxi or on your own two feet, but for many others you’ll have a tough choice deciding which is best. Consider time, comfort and funds when making your mind up, but don’t forget you can always try different options.
Suss out the parking situation
If you’re driving in, you’ll need somewhere to park, which is always harder than it sounds. The university offers plenty of parking around the campuses, but you’ll need a permit to stay there, so keep an eye on this page which will be updated with next year’s information soon: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/about/campuses/parking/
Learn what’s best for your budget
Unfortunately, there are very few ways to commute onto campus for free. If you’re lucky enough to live closeby to campus and/or are relatively fit, always consider walking or cycling, time permitting. If you drive, try and set up a carpool with a few mates chipping in for petrol. Bus companies normally offer deals for frequent users and students: Stoke’s primary company, First Potteries, are no different. Lastly there’s trains, probably the most expensive way around. The best way to save here is with a railcard, which pay for themselves in no time, but just be smart about it, do you really need a Virgin First Class ticket?
Use your time wisely
If you add up all the time you’ll spend travelling in, it’s probably a lot. So why not make the most of it? Add the finishing touches to that report due in at 9am, cram in some last minute revision, the possibilities are endless. Unless you’re driving of course, because that would be stupid.
Caffeine is your friend
There is, however, a con to every pro and more than likely you’re going to have to get up earlier than your living on-campus counterpart, maybe by a little, maybe by a lot. So during the first few months when you’re still acclimatising to being up at stupid-o’clock in the morning, a cup of tea or coffee before leaving would probably be a great idea.
Check your emails regularly
The last thing you want after the arduous trip onto campus is to discover your lecture/seminar has been cancelled and everyone living in halls has promptly returned to bed. Your lecturers should give you notice if they’ve cancelled something, so keep an eye on your student email account for the latest news, but if you’ve come all the way in anyway, you might as well make the most of your time…
Don’t go straight home
There’s always tonnes happening on our Stoke campus and there’s friendly people to talk to wherever you go, so stick around. University shouldn’t just be a place you sit in lectures, study and then clear off home when there’s so much more to do. Clubs, societies, jobs, drinks, food, events and world-class facilities are all there for you to find.
Keep up to date with all the union social events
We realise it isn’t easy for you to attend every event we put on at the union, but they’re there for every student, not just those living on-campus. Pick a night out to visit the LRV every now and then, or take a crack at the Ember Lounge Pub Quiz with a few of your coursemates. It’s this sort of thing that’ll make your university experience, so don’t be shy and watch our social calendar for updates.
Check out your section on our Welcome Site!
For the many commuting students we have here at Staffs, there’s plenty of exclusive content to help you settle in at www.staffsunion.com/welcome/
Jaime-Lee Cunningham – Union President and former commuting student
“Don’t let the fact that you’re travelling in restrict you. I know you’re probably tired and want to go home, but if you’ve got a couple of extra hours during the day, don’t just sit in a café, go and find something to do like a club or society.”
Ben Malbon – Student Officer and commuter
"The only way to find the best things at university [as a commuter] is going out and talking to people.”