How do you manage everything with 3 hrs of travelling everyday? :)

[chelonianlover]

Firstly, I'm not sure if this is the right board to post to this question (if it isn't, I'm sorry Mods...)

Anyways to the point, when I'll be going to school this year, I'll be travelling for 3 hours in total daily (1.5 to school, and 1.5 back home) and as far as I know of, it's going to stay this way for all of my senior schooling. My question is how should I manage my time, and well what habits do I need to develop, and how could I stay on top of everything (hopefully that made sense )? And ultimately, how do you still remain fresh and energetic and have a balanced life? 

Thank you so much for any advice. I'll appreciate it very much

[pi]

I probably did a couple of hours per day back in my MHS days from the Western suburbs. I didn't like to study on trains (I could, but I didn't want to), better to sleep or chat with any train buddies you have. What's important, is that you know what you're doing when you get home. Grab a bite to eat, hit the books, take a break and have dinner, re-hit books for an hour, sleep. I found that sleeping at 12am or so was perfectly fine for getting up to catch a 7.30am train, provided I can catch up on sleep on the weekends. I think you're best trying a few different routines first while in year 10 when the work doesn't really matter, and see what works well for you before VCE starts.

[nerdmmb]

Firstly, I'm not sure if this is the right board to post to this question (if it isn't, I'm sorry Mods...)

Anyways to the point, when I'll be going to school this year, I'll be travelling for 3 hours in total daily (1.5 to school, and 1.5 back home) and as far as I know of, it's going to stay this way for all of my senior schooling. My question is how should I manage my time, and well what habits do I need to develop, and how could I stay on top of everything (hopefully that made sense )? And ultimately, how do you still remain fresh and energetic and have a balanced life? 

Thank you so much for any advice. I'll appreciate it very much

First off it's great that you're willing to use your time productively and remember you're not alone when it comes to having a long travel time. You may spend those 3 hours revising material or simply reading a book, maybe your texts if you're in year 12. Although I prefer taking a rest on my way back to school mainly because lunchtime and home time have a long time in between at my school so I don't like to study on a hungry tummy But everyone works differently. So you can set yourself some work to do in advance and if you feel like you're in the mood, go ahead and study Alternatively, if you feel really tired- don't feel guilty go take a rest so you can go home refreshed and then you'll have the whole night to do whatever you'd like and even study. If you travel with friends who do the same subject/s as you, it may even be a good idea to discuss the content you've learnt and teach it to one another- that's also considered studying and will help you heaps.
But then again, that's my opinion- go for what helps you best! Best of luck!

[Shinkaze]

Come to my house. Easiest solution

[chelonianlover]

Thanks so much! That really helped pi and nerdmmb I'll do that

pi... I live in the Western suburbs... anyways, I'll try the study plan you suggested!

Oh two random questions:

1) how frequently do trains malfunction... had it happen to me when on my orientation day... instead of getting home at 5pm, I got home at 6.30pm... and I forgot to take my phone... I don't want that to happen weekly to me next year...

2) would it be worthwhile to familiarise myself with the different towns and stuff I'll be going past or near when getting to and from school... or like memorise all the different routes I could take (despite if they're longer)... if that made sense

[nerdmmb]

Thanks so much! That really helped pi and nerdmmb I'll do that

pi... I live in the Western suburbs... anyways, I'll try the study plan you suggested!

Oh two random questions:

1) how frequently do trains malfunction... had it happen to me when on my orientation day... instead of getting home at 5pm, I got home at 6.30pm... and I forgot to take my phone... I don't want that to happen weekly to me next year...

2) would it be worthwhile to familiarise myself with the different towns and stuff I'll be going past or near when getting to and from school... or like memorise all the different routes I could take (despite if they're longer)... if that made sense

Well not frequently actually, the timetable for trains usually change if there's renovations going on or if there's something wrong with the tracks.
As for your second question, there's no need to do that- you can just download the PTV app and it'll you the shortest route which will save you lots of time

[spectroscopy]

i was in a similiar boat where ive had to take public transport for just under 2 hours (each way, so 4ish total) to get to school
i used to think i would study on the trains every day but it never happens. assuming youre going to a selective entry school and it is anything like mine, sleeping is out of the question (LMAO) so i would say just enjoy the train rides, chat with your friends, play games, and just generally unwind or whatever, just make sure that when you get home, you arent too much of a procrastinator and you still do what needs to be done in terms of your work. also if that means that some nights you will be up a bit late and you might nod off on the trains the next day, so be it. catch up on the sleep on the weekends LOL
youll be fine hahaha alot of kids have to go through this and still do extraordinarily well. see what works for you

Oh two random questions:

1) how frequently do trains malfunction... had it happen to me when on my orientation day... instead of getting home at 5pm, I got home at 6.30pm... and I forgot to take my phone... I don't want that to happen weekly to me next year...

2) would it be worthwhile to familiarise myself with the different towns and stuff I'll be going past or near when getting to and from school... or like memorise all the different routes I could take (despite if they're longer)... if that made sense

1) not super often.. id say the amount of times that a train malfunction is that bad that it will postpone your journey by an hour and a half would only occur like 4-5 times in a scholastic year (based on my 4 years of train travel to and from school in the westside). Scheduled maintenance however is different and it usually goes for about 2-3 week periods whereby trains are replaced with buses and may add up to half an hour on each leg of your journey

2) lol not really, me and my friends were going to do this in year 9 but we got over it in like a week. the only things worth familiarising yourself with is the areas where you have to get off and change trains, because theyre the spots youll spend the most time. everyone at my school interchanged at footscray and after a few years of exploring it while waiting for delayed trains eventually we knew all the good and bad shops and areas and such


good luck and have fun

[pi]

Thanks so much! That really helped pi and nerdmmb I'll do that

pi... I live in the Western suburbs... anyways, I'll try the study plan you suggested!

Oh two random questions:

1) how frequently do trains malfunction... had it happen to me when on my orientation day... instead of getting home at 5pm, I got home at 6.30pm... and I forgot to take my phone... I don't want that to happen weekly to me next year...

2) would it be worthwhile to familiarise myself with the different towns and stuff I'll be going past or near when getting to and from school... or like memorise all the different routes I could take (despite if they're longer)... if that made sense

1) Western suburb trains are crap, they do break down on hot days alarmingly regularly. I'd always try and take the train earlier than the one that gets me there on time.

2) You'll pick up the train route, length of your journey (which is why I can sleep form Flinders and automatically wake up at Hoppers every time, or take a bus from Clayton and wake up at Box Hill every time), etc as you travel. I wouldn't get fussed doing anything else. Good to know where the "Replacement Bus Stop" is at your station and where they sell hot jam doughnuts at Footscray, Metro does screw up time-to-time and you don't want to be lost or without doughnuts.

FYI: I've been taking public transport for the best part of 9 years (since Year 7 lol), you do get used to it

[chelonianlover]

lol, thanks guys. You are all life saviours 

9 years. Wow. Wait? Did you go to Scotch College or something? or Uni High? Idk any others

i was in a similiar boat where ive had to take public transport for just under 2 hours (each way, so 4ish total)

Wow. And here I am making a big deal about 3 hrs Respect.

Come to my house. Easiest solution

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - I'll bring cake (It won't melt at JMSS because it will be in your fridge )

Lol, Indian parents. Not possible.

[pi]

Hey - I used to live in Hoppers! I live in Tarneit now though

9 years. Wow. Wait? Did you go to Scotch College or something? or Uni High? Idk any others The only thing I was allowed to do in year 7 was go on YouTube without telling my parents

Haha west side is the best side

Yeah I went to Uni High for a couple of years, great school!

[ReganM]

Instead of reading (well, reading on the train can make my head hurt, and if there's no seat it sucks to read), I would also listen to podcasts. Douchy used to do some great biology 3/4 podcasts (not sure if he still does them) and they would legitimately help me with biol, haha. They are also just great to listen to.

There are a lot of great podcasts out there.

[chelonianlover]

Instead of reading (well, reading on the train can make my head hurt, and if there's no seat it sucks to read), I would also listen to podcasts. Douchy used to do some great biology 3/4 podcasts (not sure if he still does them) and they would legitimately help me with biol, haha. They are also just great to listen to.

There are a lot of great podcasts out there.

Thanks ReganM! I'm doing 3/4 bio in yr 11 anyway! I'll look at those! Plus I'm an audio learner