The size of London means it is not always possible to just walk to campus. Maybe you have to commute from further, or maybe you have just left it too late to walk to your 9am class. In such cases, there are a number of methods of travel that I like to use, to minimise the time spent travelling and maximise what I gain from the time spent doing so.
Cycling to campus is one of the fastest and cheapest ways of getting to campus. When you cycle, you are less impacted by the traffic. As it gives you fresh air to start the day, I genuinely find that on the days when I have cycled my brain works best. The Santander student subscription is certainly something worth considering: it offers you 25% off the annual membership cost. It can almost become your only travel expense. It means you can spontaneously cycle without having to worry about where your bike is being left and the responsibility of having to pick it up. It also eradicates one of the greater problems with cycling in London: bike theft.
A slightly more bizarre way to travel to campus, yet one that I swear by, is running. When I began to do this during exam season in my first year, my friends raised a few concerns. However, a campus run to me makes perfect sense. For one, you get in your exercise without having to take time out of your busy schedule. It also feels safer at night, when you may be afraid to walk home alone. It also clears the head, works off energy and releases endorphins before you start work. All of this can only benefit you. After all, there are a number of showers on campus!
There is of course no harm in taking public transport. If you commute from further out, the tube can be a great option. Just remember to buy your student Oyster card and connect your National Railcard. This will save you a lot of money in the long run. Cheaper than the tube, with a fixed rate, the bus can offer the same. The traffic on the way to Holborn can be very busy during peak times, which is important to keep in mind when scheduling your journey. It can however be nice to take a break, sit back with music or a podcast and mentally prepare yourself for the day.
