Coping with long-ish commutes...

[Chapeltom]

Just thought I'd update this thread. I'm in Uni 4 days a week and have done the commute, 9 times now, only another 39 journeys until Christmas... I speak on my day off. Tomorrow is the 'killer one' 0603 from Chapel to Manchester...

I can agree with some of the comments about tiredness, this partly down to the fact I've sat in a pub or 2 in Manchester on some afternoons! It is Wetherspoons beer festival at the moment and as someone passionate about ale... early days, can afford to just pop to the pub for a beer or three. In later weeks this won't be possible of course.

Good points so far:
I'm still enjoying it, the walks at either end are rather pleasant.
Trains have generally been on time
Lectures and that are finishing well within 2 hours
Generally get a seat on most services.
I managed to get lots of non Uni work done, I produce a weekly PDF doc of all tables fixtures and results for my local football league, can easily do this on the Monday commute through.

Negative points so far
Last Thursday's signalling problems at Hunts X, missed a connection at Manchester Picc so alighted at MCO instead. Ended up standing between LPY and Manchester Oxford Road and Oxford Road and Chinley! Got to Chinley about 45 minutes after I intended to!
Fell asleep on a train, ended up in Buxton and didn't 'pay' for my error in the end, lucky man.
2 car 0803 from Chinley yesterday, usually a 4 car service, rammed full doesn't describe it, I'd have rather it been cancelled frankly!


I've just stopped working until Christmas, just had 3 Sundays in a row of work I didn't expect which has paid for more driving lessons. Did I mention I'm learning to drive as well? test booked for late November! Haha.

 

[Greenback]

I still predict that by the time you are halfway through the term you will thoroughly fed up!

It's good that you are still positive, but the novelty value hasn't worn off yet! Since my last contribution I have been reminded of my old Uni mate in Reading - he came from Crowthorne but elected to live in to give himself more time, and to enjoy the social side, which included much ale!

 

[Eng274]

My daily commute is between EDB-PLE via queen street & central. (I have trimmed the walk between the latter two down to 7 minutes by changing my route slightly!) Its not become wearisome at the moment, but that could change as we approach winter!

I guess my commute isn't as stressful as others.. guaranteed decent trains, generally punctual, never been cancelled yet, and a trolley service.

And if i make an unscheduled stop at the pub on friday evenings, i know there are frequent trains until late, to show me the way to go home.

 

[SS4]

I'm glad to hear it. You could be one of those people who doesn't mind, it's much easier if you can cope with long periods alone. The thing I didn't like about commuting was the long lunchtime since I'd have a lecture finish at 11 but the next one is at 4.

Presumably you have a season ticket? I found it nice to be able to catch a train to some random place in the west midlands and get some food
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I got quite lucky with my commutes since I could always get a seat at BHM due to everyone getting off before everyone else got on

 

[Eng274]

I'm glad to hear it. You could be one of those people who doesn't mind, it's much easier if you can cope with long periods alone.

I do relish solitude* sometimes, it has to be said. Most of the time I just get on with work, the ~50 minute journey passes quicker when you're occupied I find. Unless there's a not uncomely female munching through an entire box of ice cream cornets sat across the table (not a drop of ice cream to be seen..!)

* Unless someone gets on at a later stop and commandeers the armrest in between the two seats!!

 

[mappman1000]

I know someone who commutes from London (ruislip), 3 or 4 times a week, to Portsmouth, using megatrain fares!

 

[Chapeltom]

I'll update this thread... some may still be interested. Especially those who said I couldn't hack it.

I did 12 weeks, 46 days in and just 2 missed and 1 more almost missed. I've got to say despite a few days of real fatigue I actually really quite enjoyed it. The wintry weather made the walking to the station fun, I've just laughed off the rain and although people at Uni think I'm mad, admire the commitment. I've got 11 weeks from Monday until Easter time in.

There was a few delays but nothing major, still get a seat on most services and those I stand on, I don't mind too much. The next 11 weeks is the test though, as in terms of work it trebles which will really see how mentally strong I am! having said that I've booked a couple of Travelodge stops for Wednesday nights, £15 a night, bit of experience of fending for myself... on kebabs and Wetherspoons fry-ups I'll have a whole 27 hours from the end of Wednesday morning lecture to my next class on the Thursday afternoon, so plenty of chance to do some work

I'll come back and update at April time...

 

[causton]

Not bad - I'm surprised you've lasted this long

Hope things go well - and those Travelodge stays should help a little bit!

 

[Chapeltom]

Ha, first one is next Wednesday, me and my mate spending it visiting Liverpool's finest ale houses...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Knowing what the walk to the railway station at Chapel el le Frith can be like once a mixture of a heavy fall of snow combines with the strong winds that can affect this part of the Peak District, you have been very fortunate with the autumn and winter weather so far, especially in comparison to the weather that was experienced in the same period in the two previous years.

 

[Strat-tastic]

Ha, first one is next Wednesday, me and my mate spending it visiting Liverpool's finest ale houses...

Now that's what I call being a student

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I'm aquainted with someone who commutes 78 miles by train most mornings and the same back in the evenings, and has done for many years. She's structured her day around that time and spends every moment either working or persuing her social life, and she is intensely dedicated to both of these.

I wouldn't like to do it, but we're not all the same, and I do admire the way she has incorporated that time into her day so that it isn't 'lost time'.

 

[tempests1]

One thing I love doing while commuting is people watching like the women who got on with almost dripping wet hair, trainers, & applying full make up without a mirror! It's wierd you regular see the same faces from your home station and have travelled on the same train for years but have never spoken to them

 

[mr_jrt]

I used to do Bushey to Cambridge for work every day, two hours door to desk, for 4.5 years. Do not miss it *at all* even though it was as simple as you could hope for. It's not the time it takes that's the problem, it's the time you don't have in the evening that is. I started off reading for the first 6 months or so, then moved to newspapers, then portable videogames, but after a couple of years it was all I could do to stay awake as soon as I sat down. Early starts and late return means you basically have an hour each night if you want a full night's sleep. No good, no good at all.

Best of luck!

 

[kendun]

I have been commuting from Bolton to Bache (near Chester) for about a month now. - I leave home at about 05:15 to get the train at 0543 and reach Bache by 0756.

The evening's relatively quicker. Leave Bache at 1606 and reach Bolton by 1745. I try to have a snooze/nap on the train if I can - tried reading a book/ newspaper but feel tired, so stick to napping

 

[scotsman]

I'm half an hour away by train, plus either a 10 minute walk or 15 minute bus ride to two of my preferred unis next year. There is absolutely no way I'm doing that 4 days a week - halls/flat it is!

 

[Greenback]

I'll update this thread... some may still be interested. Especially those who said I couldn't hack it.

I did 12 weeks, 46 days in and just 2 missed and 1 more almost missed. I've got to say despite a few days of real fatigue I actually really quite enjoyed it. The wintry weather made the walking to the station fun, I've just laughed off the rain and although people at Uni think I'm mad, admire the commitment. I've got 11 weeks from Monday until Easter time in.

There was a few delays but nothing major, still get a seat on most services and those I stand on, I don't mind too much. The next 11 weeks is the test though, as in terms of work it trebles which will really see how mentally strong I am! having said that I've booked a couple of Travelodge stops for Wednesday nights, £15 a night, bit of experience of fending for myself... on kebabs and Wetherspoons fry-ups I'll have a whole 27 hours from the end of Wednesday morning lecture to my next class on the Thursday afternoon, so plenty of chance to do some work

I'll come back and update at April time...

As one of those who thought you would struggle, I have to say well done so far!

I hope you cope with the next 11 weeks, though based on what you have said you will be OK!

 

[HH]

I commute by car 100 minutes each way every day. I've been doing a similar journey for 12 years. On the train I read or work, so I don't regard that as wasted time.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Hi Tom!

I'm going to be doing the exact same thing as you! I have just got a place to study Geography at the University of the West of England (Bristol). I find that it is too expensive to stay in the halls so I'm commuting every day. The nearest station is Filton Abbey Wood, about ten minutes west of Bristol. It's about a 40 minute commute from Cardiff Central, although I need to take into account the ten minute train ride to my house, and a twenty minute walk to the Uni itself, so just over an hour commute for me.

What's funny though, is that I live near Waun-Gron Park station in Cardiff, and go to college in Penarth every day, not for long now as I'm going to UWE. Requires a change at Cardiff Central. Currently about 45 minutes, whereas Cardiff-Filton is only 40!!

But to be fair, I can't complain. My brother lives in Manchester and commutes to London every day

 

[RJ]

Hi all.

I'm off to study at Liverpool Hope University next month but will be commuting for the next 3 years every day, by road its 52 miles, by rail either 47 miles or 51 miles depending on which station I use! Its 1.5 -2 hours with a 1 mile walk at either end, so quite a way every day.

Anyone else commute a similar distance to work/uni and do you cope well with it? I'm scared of getting fed up of it after a while, I don't mind travelling at all and don't mind the early starts that will inevitably follow. Is it possible to get used to travelling like that every day?

I also think I've found a cheap way of getting there saving a couple of pounds a day...

Tom

110 miles each way for me. Not bored of it yet, got my laptop and net access to keep me entertained.

 

[martinsh]

Hi Tom!

I'm going to be doing the exact same thing as you! I have just got a place to study Geography at the University of the West of England (Bristol). I find that it is too expensive to stay in the halls so I'm commuting every day. The nearest station is Filton Abbey Wood, about ten minutes west of Bristol.

Good luck with your course, you're going to need it ! Filton Abbey Wood is almost directly north of Bristol !

 

[ValleyLines142]

Good luck with your course, you're going to need it ! Filton Abbey Wood is almost directly north of Bristol !

Haha yes I know that, I was just trying to specify that it was on my side (i.e. Cardiff side) of Bristol, and Cardiff is to the west (I do sometimes forget to take into account that Cardiff-Bristol trains are effectively doing a U-shape across the Severn!). I know geographically it's to the north.

 

[Madge Wildfire]

I'll update this thread... some may still be interested. Especially those who said I couldn't hack it.

I did 12 weeks, 46 days in and just 2 missed and 1 more almost missed. I've got to say despite a few days of real fatigue I actually really quite enjoyed it. The wintry weather made the walking to the station fun, I've just laughed off the rain and although people at Uni think I'm mad, admire the commitment. I've got 11 weeks from Monday until Easter time in.

There was a few delays but nothing major, still get a seat on most services and those I stand on, I don't mind too much. The next 11 weeks is the test though, as in terms of work it trebles which will really see how mentally strong I am! having said that I've booked a couple of Travelodge stops for Wednesday nights, £15 a night, bit of experience of fending for myself... on kebabs and Wetherspoons fry-ups I'll have a whole 27 hours from the end of Wednesday morning lecture to my next class on the Thursday afternoon, so plenty of chance to do some work

I'll come back and update at April time...

Yes, well done from me as well.

It appears as though you have a positive outlook on life which must help when the going gets a bit tough, and you have obviously planned in advance with the Travelodge bookings.

I stay in their hotels quite a lot, and in the main I find that they are relatively quiet, though some rooms are showing signs of wear and tear - but for £15 a night they are a bargain. Of course there are always exceptions, and kids running up and down corridors really gets on my nerves.

Just remember that individual Travelodge hotels allocate rooms on a first come first served basis, irrespective of whether you have booked in advance, so if you dont go there until evening thinking 'they will have reserved me a room' you will probably end up being allocated the worst placed room in the hotel, or the only one they have left.

So, good luck with the next 3 months and I hope that you are still as optimistic by Easter, as you seem to be at the moment.

 

[kendun]

Hi Tom!

But to be fair, I can't complain. My brother lives in Manchester and commutes to London every day

Your brother comutes from Manchester to London everyday? Must be an expensive Rail ticket, unless he works for the railways I guess?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Your brother comutes from Manchester to London everyday? Must be an expensive Rail ticket, unless he works for the railways I guess?

No, his business pays for it :P