Ways to pass the time on your commute
Are you looking for ways to make your commute more interesting? Whether you walk or wheel to campus, or if you’re getting the bus across town, here are some ways to liven up your commute.
- Meet your exercise goals for the day
One of the great things about active commuting is that you can easily slot exercise into your daily schedule. Whether it’s walking to campus to meet your step goals, cycling to get your heart racing, or even just getting off the bus a bit early to get an extra active boost, active commuting is a great way to keep healthy and active.
Worried about having to sit in lectures all day after sweating on your way in? You can use free showers and changing rooms at The Edge before midday, or for just £1 after midday. You don’t need a membership! Just show your student card at reception and they’ll provide you with free access.
Most other buildings on campus also have showers, including Old Bar in the Union — have a look at each building’s navigation signs and explore a little to find them.
2. Plug in your headphones
A commute is a great time to catch up on your favourite podcast or listen to an album from front-to-back (but only if you’re walking or taking public transport — if you’re cycling to campus, maybe give this one a miss!).
You could listen to the entirety of The Beatles’ Abbey Road on your 47-minute walk from Clarence Dock to campus. Or, if you’re in North Hill Court, your 30-minute stroll to campus is perfect for fitting in a podcast. If you need some inspiration, check out the new UoL podcast series ‘How to fix…’ where our own scientists and researchers discuss hopeful solutions to society’s biggest challenges.
3. Catch up on your reading
If you take the bus to campus, you could use your commute to catch up on reading — either some text for your next seminar or just your favourite bit of fiction.
If you can’t walk and read at the same time, try an audiobook! Did you know you can download audiobooks for free with a Leeds library card?
4. Play around with routes
It can be easy to get stuck in a rut, always going down the same streets at the same time. Why not try mixing up your route? Take a detour to find that coffee shop everyone’s shouting about, or see if you can find a less hilly way onto campus.
5. Get organised
Your commute is your time to adjust from being at home to being on campus. Why not use your bus commute as a time to write out your to-do list, journal some reflections on the day, or plan your goals and aspirations?
6. Learn a new skill
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to knit or learn a new language or any other skill you haven’t had the time to practice yet, a public transport commute is the perfect time to start. There are loads of tutorials and apps to try out, such as:
- Duolingo for iPhone
- Duolingo for Android
- Knitting Genius, learn to knit for iPhone
- Knitting Genius, learn to knit for Android
You could find yourself with a finished scarf or having a conversation in a different language by the winter break!
If you’re still looking for some inspiration for things to do on your commute to campus, check out Lucy’s blog for more ideas!
How do you make your commute more fun? Let us know in the comments.
Want to know how the University is taking climate action? Find out more about our Climate Plan.
