Ce La Vi

Hi loves,

For me, the start of the academic year feels more like a fresh start than New Year’s Day. Tomorrow, I’m officially starting my second year of uni (and my second year commuting — four hours total on school days, yes really). By now, I’d like to think I’ve earned a bit of expertise in the commuter lifestyle.

To commute or not to commute?

Not everyone loves commuting. Some can’t imagine it, some are adamant about needing their own space. Truthfully, it wasn’t my first choice either. When we realised living in London wasn’t on the cards in first year, I cried — I wanted the full moving-out experience.

But over time, I’ve grown to appreciate it. It’s only three days a week, which isn’t too bad. Yes, I have to wake up at 5:30am, but there are worse things in life. Plus, commuting comes with its perks: I’ve met professors, random conference guys, and even once got asked out on a date to the Shard. 🫢 It also saves money — which, for me, is non-negotiable with my semesters abroad (Singapore last year, Dubai this year).

I try to structure my week so that the three commuting days are devoted almost entirely to uni work — reading on the train, drafting assignments, catching up on lectures. That way, the rest of the week feels freer. On Fridays, I sometimes take a little detour to explore London too.

So, here are my absolute essentials as a commuter:

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1. The Bag

It all starts here. For England, the weather is reliably… unreliable (translation: rain). Which brings me to:

2. Umbrella (non-negotiable)

In first year, I used to check the forecast daily and decide whether or not to bring it. Rookie mistake. I’ve ended up soaked more times than I can count. Lesson learnt: always pack one.

Bonus tip: gloves, scarf, and at least something outerwear-wise (coat, hoodie, anything). Do not attempt commuting in England without it.

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3. Electronics

• Power bank — I’ve said it before, but it deserves repeating: essential. You never know when your phone will betray you.
• Headphones — I don’t always use them on the commute itself, but they’re non-negotiable if I want to zone out or listen to an audiobook.

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4. The Little Things

• Gum — If I don’t have gum, I’ve probably been abducted. Once upon a time I carried five packs with me at all times; now I limit myself to one. Progress.
• Hand sanitiser + anti-bac wipes — especially for the tube. London germs are not invited.
• Tissues — self-explanatory.
• Water — my most expensive habit, honestly. I have an irrational dislike of reusable bottles (don’t hate me), but I try to refill a store-bought one throughout the day.

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5. Uni Bits

• Notebook + pens — nearly everything I do is online, but sometimes pen-to-paper feels right (especially when WiFi decides to disappear).
• Perlego — basically a library on your phone. I download readings and go through them on the train so I’m not wasting those hours.

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6. Beauty + Extras

• Claw clip — because hair. Enough said.

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Commuting might not be glamorous, but with the right essentials, it becomes bearable — even enjoyable. Four hours a day on trains has taught me a lot about preparation, patience, and finding little ways to make the journey mine.

To all my fellow commuters: what are your must-haves? Maybe I’ll discover something new to add to my own uni bag.

Until the next ride,
Alicja xx ✈️🎒