Living at home: how to make sure you get the full university experience

Hi, I'm Mamtaz and I'm in my final year of LLB (Hons) Law.

For most students, moving away from home is often the most exciting part of their university journey. However, I chose to live at home whilst studying at Bradford. Whether you're considering staying at home for financial reasons, family commitments, or personal reasons, I can say that commuting has its own unique quirks. 

I want to start this blog by saying that no matter whether you choose to live in university accommodation or stay at home, neither choice is wrong. I'll use this space to share my experience of commuting to university and share my advice on getting the full university experience whilst living at home.

What's it like to live at home?

Living at home with my family does have its perks, with the main one being that I'm able to save money on rent. I love that I get to enjoy warm home-cooked meals, and when I feel I'm in need of support, my family are always there.

Living at home allows me to manage working part-time as well as studying without the financial strain of renting.

Commuting to University

I don't think there are many disadvantages to living at home, but sometimes, commuting does come with some downsides. I find that commuting requires a lot of pre-planning and extra organisation.

I think the most annoying thing is that, unlike students who live on campus, I can't just wake up at the last minute for lectures or attend impromptu social events easily.

Public transport can be expensive, so thinking about how you will manage travel costs is worth considering. I make the most of the student discounts on travel to save money.

What's commuting like?

My commute to the University usually takes me around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic and bus delays. While it can be tiring, especially after a long day of classes, I enjoy being able to unwind while I'm on my journey back home. I love listening to music or catching up on readings.

One of the biggest challenges when you have to commute is the unpredictability. This is quite difficult at the moment with the roadworks and construction work happening around Bradford for City of Culture 2025. I find there can be a lot of delays and last-minute cancellations, which can be really frustrating, especially during the winter.

I've learned that it's a good idea to always leave early, so I don't miss any important lectures and seminars!

How is my experience different from those who have moved out for university?

Sometimes it can be easy to feel like I'm missing out on living my full university experience, especially when friends organise spontaneous gatherings or late-night study sessions. However, that doesn't mean there aren't alternative ways to stay engaged while managing responsibilities at home.

I feel like students who live on campus have a more immersive experience overall. It's easier to be more involved in social events, student activities and societies without considering travel.

Independence is also one of the major differences, as those living on campus often struggle to juggle living alone while studying at university and managing daily chores. This might be their first experience of living independently, whereas I have family support.

Tips for getting the full university experience whilst living at home

Here are three tips for anyone living at home who is worried they won't get the full uni experience.

Join societies and clubs: I keep an active presence by joining societies and attending social events whenever possible.

Stay organised: managing my schedule allows me to balance study, work, and travel effectively.

Plan social time: Organising meet-ups with friends ensures I do not miss out on social gatherings.

Still weighing up your options?

Discover more about living at home and how to get the most from university life.