#GirlBlog: Why commuting to uni was the best decision for me
I’ve been commuting to university for two years now, and even though it is an occasional nightmare – it is the best decision I’ve made.
I’m a fiercely independent person. I love responsibility, taking charge and generally just being in control. But I’m also a very anxious and an occasionally introverted person. That’s just one of the reasons why commuting is the best decision I’ve made regarding my university experience.
Although I applied well in advance, I decided to go to university at the very last minute, so accommodation was pretty much not an option for me. Luckily, living in student accommodation never interested me either. Quite frankly, living with a bunch of messy, loud and over-excitable strangers, seemed like my idea of hell. It would be fair to say that I had my mind set on commuting pretty quickly. So from day one, I got in my car and drove to Canterbury Christ Church University.
I admit that it can be frustrating at times. There are days when my lectures are cancelled or cut short with little notice and I find myself irritated by the fact that I’ve spent more time in the car than in the lecture theatre.
There are times where the petrol station seems too familiar and I worry for my financial security, but I remind myself that I’m ultimately saving more money than my friends who are struggling with their accommodation bills.
There are times when I spend so long in Canterbury traffic, that I curse audibly about the fact that everyone else in my class was home an hour ago, but it was absolutely the best decision because of the type of person I am. I am also rarely enticed by clubbing so I never experience FOMO (the fear of missing out). Sure, if I was a much more outgoing person, who had the stamina to drink most weekends like my friends do, then I can see how commuting would stunt that opportunity, but I’m so much happier going home for some peace and quiet once I’ve finished a long session at the library or have sat through a ludicrous 3-7pm lecture.
In my first year, I’d spend a lot of my time at my friend’s flats and we’d cook dinner together, have a laugh and even sometimes actually go out. Over the past few years, I’ve never worried about needing somewhere to stay in Canterbury should I need to, as I know my closest friends would take me in without any issues.
