Why Online Communities Matter for Commuter Students: Connection, Belonging & Cost-Saving

In UK HE, more students now choose to live at home and commute than relocate to their university of choice.  This is a startling insight, and one which university recruitment and admissions teams can’t afford to ignore.

Starting university is an exciting time, but for many students, it can also be an anxious period, and for commuters this may be coupled with feelings of isolation. 

For students living on or near campus, the start to university life is often a veritable feast of on-campus events, new clubs and societies to try out, and the opportunity to make new friends and connect with flatmates or halls neighbours. For commuters, however, it can be a different story of having to head straight home after lectures, missing out on the informal, spontaneous connections that happen outside the classroom and being on the edge of social events and evening meet-ups

 
 

Online applicant communities are helping to bridge this gap, and at CampusConnect we have seen a significant rise in applicants planning to live at home and commute using the platform to connect with one another, find answers to their questions, ease pre-university anxieties and even coordinate their travel.  

Over 1,000 applicants have joined commuting focused chat groups this recruitment cycle, and with over 10,000 messages exchanged, it has been a key area of commonality for applicants to meet, chat and connect around.

 
 

So what can universities do to support these incoming commuter students? There are actions you can take right now to ensure students living at home and travelling in to study maximise their opportunities and have the best experience possible:

1. Help Commuters Find One Another

One of the biggest challenges for commuter students is feeling like they’re part of the university culture, like they belong.  Without living on campus, it’s easy to feel like an outsider; so provide a place for them to connect, even before enrollment takes place.  That may be a university-hosted digital platform or more general social media spaces, but could also be at a live-event like an open day, or on a forum such as TSR.  

These spaces should make it easy for incoming students to:

  • Meet other commuters with shared commonalities (same location, same course, same interests etc.)

  • Organise ride-shares, train/bus buddy groups

  • Share campus specific tips and advice, such as best routes or parking options

 
 

It’s important for them to see that they are not the only ones planning to live at home and commute, in fact, they’re likely in the majority.  

Providing a space like this creates a sense of reassurance and belonging, which is key to student satisfaction and eventual success.

 
 

2. Promote Saving Money Through Shared Travel

Cost-of-living pressure is the single largest barrier to entry for UK and Irish HE currently.  It is the main reason so many students don’t feel that relocating to university is a financially viable option.  Rather than being a lifestyle choice, it is borne out of necessity.

However, while offering a saving in the long term, commuting to and from university can also be expensive, especially with rising fuel prices, bus/train fares, or parking fees.

Universities that provide and promote a connected online community, allow their students to:

  • Share information about discounts, passes, or student-friendly options

  • Split the cost of parking or taxi rides

  • Share live updates on delays/cancellations

 
 

Over a period of an academic year, these small savings really add up, and as well as reducing feelings of isolation, can significantly reduce the financial strain that many commuter students feel.

Universities can do more to raise awareness of savvy ticket purchasing by encouraging students to buy railcards (e.g., the 16-25 Railcard), consistently highlighting the significant savings offered on advance purchasing for train/bus travel, and go even further, encouraging students to buddy up to avail of discounts such as GroupSave (a discount available when 3 to 9 people travel together).

3. Offer Support When It’s Needed

Commuting can be tiring, especially during exam season or periods of bad weather. Having a digital space where you can vent, ask for help, or even just chat casually with others who understand what it’s like can be incredibly valuable.

An online student community becomes a support network, a space where students can lift each other up and remind one another that they’re not alone.

 
 

Without being on campus 24/7, it’s easy to miss out on events, deadlines, or society meetings.  Be sure that your online student community remains active - keep commuter students plugged in by providing:

  • Regular advance updates about campus events (allowing them to coordinate attendance)

  • Reminders about important academic dates

  • Opportunities for part-time jobs, internships, or volunteering that might specifically suit commuters

This helps commuter students stay in the loop and feel just as involved as on-campus peers.

Final Thoughts

We know that university is so much more than lectures and assignments, it’s really about connection, growth, and community.  For commuter students, that community may not be found in the halls of residence, but it can thrive online, especially in those anxious pre and post enrolment weeks. 

In a world where digital spaces shape so much of our social lives, don’t miss the opportunity to recognise the power of online communities to support your home-based commuter students, not just academically, but financially and socially too.

Daniel Hinkley