In deciding to apply to do my Masters at Birmingham, I was accepting the fate of being a commuter student for the year. This was because I already had accommodation sorted out in the nearby city of Coventry, about 18 miles away from the university, with some friends from my bachelor’s degree. Life may have been more practical if I’d attended one of the nearby universities, but something drew me to make the change and come to Birmingham, despite the distance.
Commuting by train has usually taken me around an hour each way, depending on the train times, and honestly, I’ve found this to be such a useful period of time to have for myself. Whether I listen to a podcast, catch up on the latest album release, or do some reading for my course, I generally find the journey to be a great time to check off low-energy tasks, which either warm up or cool down my brain during busy periods of working at university.
The view from the train is much greener than you might expect between two major cities, and I’ve often tried to use the time to appreciate the nature around me. Something I find much harder when driving and sitting in traffic! I’ve especially loved how commuting has forced me up and out during beautiful morning sunrises (which I’d have otherwise slept through), or to come back during sunsets.
What’s more, the twenty-minute walk each way to and from the station has proved fantastic for getting my steps in. Comparing how much my step count went up in September 2024 when I came to uni, and back down in December when I went home for Christmas, for example, shows just how much of a positive impact commuting has had on my walking habits. And, particularly on sunnier mornings, hearing the birdsong as I walk through my local park to the station really puts me in good spirits for the rest of the day, improving my overall mental wellbeing.
All this is to say, you don’t need to be worried about the prospect of commuting by train from further afield. I’ve found that it can be a really enjoyable experience. The chances are that you’ll be able to get to the university easily, due to the on-campus station being so well-connected to Birmingham New Street, which is the most-used station in the UK outside of London and which serves many destinations. Cost-cutting measures, such as the use of monthly season tickets or railcards, can help you to stay within budget, and may be cheaper than driving and parking, depending on your location of origin. What’s more, many, many students commute, and there is even a Commuter Society at the Guild for you to join, if you so wish – so you won’t be alone!
So, though a decent commute might feel like a hurdle, I can’t recommend the choice to come to Birmingham enough, and I hope that this blog encourages anybody feeling tentative to take the leap and join us!
