Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Your Commute to Uni Explored

 

Maybe you live locally or maybe you even live on a 'tropical' island (we’re looking at you Isle of Wight). Wherever you're commuting in from (and we know lots of you travel in from neighbouring counties like Berkshire, Dorset, Surrey and Wiltshire), you will be part of Winchester’s welcoming student community.    Read on for information and tips on commuting to your on-campus teaching sessions and hear from current Winchester students about their experiences travelling into the city. 

 

To commute or not to commute: that is the question 

If you are considering living at home and commuting to uni, it may be the right decision for you. Perhaps you're looking to save money on accommodation, and you can have your family on hand for support while you study. It may also be a practical option if you have caring responsibilities or a part-time job near where you live. 

If this is you, it’s a good idea to consider how, and how often, you will need to travel in so you can work out your costings and how you can best fund your travel. A great place to start is by researching our Commuting Students page and definitely check out our Travel and Transport page which is updated regularly with the latest bus, coach, rail and car parking discounts. Some transport apps offer further student discounts so research what's out there. Even if it is only a few percent off, it all helps.  

Winchester is really well served by bus and train, and we’ve highlighted some train journey times to the city below. We are just a 15-minute walk from Winchester train station and the station is a 5-minute walk from the city centre. 

 

Maximise your time on campus 

Once you are on campus for the day, make the most of your time while you’re here. Need a face-to-face appointment with the Academic Success Team or a 1:1 with your tutor? No problem. Want to work out between your timetabled sessions? The gym on campus is open weekdays 7am to 10pm.

Just want to hang out with your course mates and have a coffee (or a muffin, salad, pizza, smoothie or something more substantial)? We have several cafés across our campuses and the main Food Hall is on our King Alfred Campus. Scratch that, you’ve got an assignment deadline looming. Head to a study space in one of the beautiful libraries (Martial Rose or West Downs), to one of the PCs available in our cafés or even curl up in a nice quiet pod in the Contemplation Space (pictured below).

Forgotten your laptop? Don't despair, there are self-service laptop loan cabinets at key locations on the King Alfred, Medecroft and West Downs Quarters, as well as at the Multimedia Loan Counter in the Fred Wheeler Building. You can borrow a laptop for free by swiping your University card at the cabinet scanner and following the on-screen instructions.

 

Commuting Students Network

If, when you’re on campus, you think you might need a shower or may just need a nice cup of tea and a sit down, consider joining your campus home-from-home, aka the Student Union’s Commuter Lounge. Once you have paid the (nominal) fee to join the Commuting Students Network, you’ll have access to the Commuter Lounge which has a private shower, relaxing sofa area, a microwave, kettle, PCs and a printer and lockers to store all that stuff you wish you hadn’t brought in with you.

“The Commuting Students Network is a really great place to socialise, especially if you’re travelling a distance from the University and you don’t have time to socialise with others. We are very lucky to have our own facilities where we have a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and study room facilities as well. We do regular events such as afternoon teas, quizzes and other fun things.”  Jenny, PhD student 

 

Maximise your commuting time 

If you are on public transport, it's the perfect time to catch up on your reading or start planning for an upcoming assignment. In saying that, don’t be afraid for some of this travel time to be your downtime where you can relax in front of your favourite box set or listen to a podcast. If you are driving to uni: podcast ✔️  box set  ❌ 

 

Plan ahead for disruptions to your travel  

It’s an inevitable part of life that a train strike or traffic jam on the motorway might delay you on your journey in. Be prepared by researching alternative transport methods for those days when your car/bike/train company lets you down. Have Microsoft Teams and your unimail account installed on your phone so you can let your lecturer or tutor know you have been delayed.

If you need to stay overnight in Winchester, the University has short-term guest rooms available at reasonable rates and delicious breakfast options to choose from in the Food Hall. To find out more contact the Conferences Team on conferences@winchester.ac.uk or call 01962 827322. 

 

“I’ve commuted for the past three years and I would say that they have made that really accessible and inclusive for me. There is a Commuter Lounge where we can all go and socialise and chill out and that to me just made coming to University so much more enjoyable.” Catherine, Primary Education student 

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