Hey,
In first sem I travelled about 3 hours each way for uni by ptv, I moved during the break between semesters & so sem 2 was only (a bit under) 2 hours each way.
3 hours was incredibly draining, especially since I was going to uni almost every day. I wasn't prepared for how mentally draining it is to leave home when it's dark and get back when it's dark (I usually had an early morning class) - it might sound like a small thing, but it had a significant impact on my psyche.
2 hours has been much better. It does take a bit of practice to get used to, but now I can use my ptv time fairly effectively. 2nd sem I was much smarter about things:
my tips
- if you have a day where you only have lectures, and that lecture will be recorded, don't go to the lecture (you can check if they're usually recorded in the uni subject reviews). Instead, download the lecture, and watch it on the train on the next day you go to uni (works best for units where you don't take notes)
- download quizlet and use it
- imo, don't do assessed quizzes on your phone on the train
- if you're a journaling type person you can journal on the train
- if you get a seat, you can pull your laptop out & work on assignments
- if you can't think properly, just reading or staring out he window is fine
- a lot of my posting on these forums is on the train
- schedule your classes so you don't have to go in every day
Less travel time is certainly ideal, but I've found 2 hours to be manageable