1 hour commute to medical school doable?

[rachmoninov3]

Newbie question:

So it's official, I start medschool in late July. I currently own a house an hour away from the medical school, and have been commuting to the university via the park-and-ride shuttle for the last few years. Is this doable, or do I need to start looking at selling/renting my current place and finding something close to the medical school?

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[njbmd]

Newbie question:

So it's official, I start medschool in late July. I currently own a house an hour away from the medical school, and have been commuting to the university via the park-and-ride shuttle for the last few years. Is this doable, or do I need to start looking at selling/renting my current place and finding something close to the medical school?

I had a 45-minute subway ride during 1st and 2nd year. I used the time to relax and unwind so I could hit the books when I got home. I moved in closer during 3rd year (20 minutes) because I had to drive at that point. An hour is a long commute but you can use the time to study during the first two years if you don't want to give up your house or have renters trash it.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Definitely doable. As njbmd pointed out, since you don't have to drive the whole way, you can use the time to read, relax, study, whatever. Also, your schedule is pretty flexible during the first two years of school, so you can find the time for the commute. And you might very well wind up not going to class, so then it's especially no big deal. I'd stay put at least for next year and see how it goes.

 

[45408]

I wouldn't do it. Your time will be precious as it is - spending up to two hours commuting is going to eat plenty of it. I commuted ~40 minutes for three years of college, and I felt like a new man when I moved a few blocks from campus.

 

[doctoresse]

If you can, moving closer to campus would be better. I had to commute 1hr each way for about three months first semester and I was always too tired to study when I got home, it really sucked. I felt like I had to always bring plenty of stuff in my car "just in case" ie all my books, medical equipment, lunch, gym bag. I knew that if I forgot something there was no way I could drive home just to pick it up. Plus I really had to get all my studying done on campus before driving home bc I'd be too tired once I got home. I would miss out on study groups with my classmates bc everybody, understandably, wanted a break after lectures and meet again later in the evening.
It made a HUGE difference when I moved 15 minutes from campus. I can go home if I forget something, or just to take a nap and feel refreshed before hitting the books. Plus I can also be more social and go back on campus if there is a cool surgery workshop or group study. One thing with med school is that there's no time limit, students meet to study late at night, on weekends, before lectures whenever. Being closer gives you more flexibility.
That said, selling your house would probably also be a big time investment and stressful ( I bought a house close to school so I know). Why don't you see how the first few months go? My school had very long days at the beginning of the first semester maybe yours will have shorther days so you can go to lecture, drive home or take the train and still have energy to study. Play it by ear but for me I'm definitely a happier person closer to school🙂

 

[GuzzyRon]

Although I'm in not in med schl yet (will be starting in the fall), but I would not commute 1 hr each way to schl. I did it in undergrad and it was no fun. I get home dog-tired and sleepy. 😴

Also think of it this way, if you go to school 5 days a week, that means you will be spending 10 hrs/week or 40 hrs/month 😱 doing nothing but commuting. That is an awful lot of time that you can put into doing something more productive like studying or resting.

These two hrs become even more precious during exam time and I couldn't help thinking that my classmates with 10 minute commutes have a 100-minute study-time advantage over me for everyday we go to school.

 

[Law2Doc]

I wouldn't do it. Your time will be precious as it is - spending up to two hours commuting is going to eat plenty of it. I commuted ~40 minutes for three years of college, and I felt like a new man when I moved a few blocks from campus.

I agree -- while it is certainly possible to have an hour commute to school, and I know quite a few people who do, you are really going to want those two hours a day back, if not for studying, then for unwinding time. Having done long commutes at times while working, I can tell you it grinds you down and exhausts you faster than anything.

 

[bjackrian]

An hour commute isn't bad, especially in the first two years when you don't have to go to class every day. The park and ride sounds like a great option since you have time to study (or do the crossword and sudoku to unwind, which is what I do on my commute). When you start third year, it might be a bigger deal since you'll be forced to be at the hospital for longer hours and you'll be more sleep deprived. Also, you won't necessarily be commuting at rush hour, so park and ride might be more difficult.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Also think of it this way, if you go to school 5 days a week, that means you will be spending 10 hrs/week or 40 hrs/month 😱 doing nothing but commuting. That is an awful lot of time that you can put into doing something more productive like studying or resting.

The thing is that lots of us don't go to school 5 days a week. I go to school 1 to 2 days a week, and some weeks I don't go to school at all. It really depends on your school and whether or not you're going to attend class. If your school is like mine and has few required courses and lots of online and printed material to study from, class attendance isn't necessary.

 

[TMP-SMX]

All I can say is to think about the financial aspect of moving and weigh the benefits/costs. As said above, you may not have to go to lecture every day (especially year 2). Your school may have lectures recorded so that's a bonus.

In my case, I'll be about 25 minutes away without traffic, 45 minutes in rush hour, hour and up when there is construction/accidents. I'll be saving more 15k a year just on living expenses since I'll be at home. I know that doesn't apply to you because you aren't with your parents I would assume, but saving 60k or more in loans sounds pretty good to me. Add interest to that and it really adds up. I will move out after third year, but I can share the costs.

 

[45408]

The thing is that lots of us don't go to school 5 days a week. I go to school 1 to 2 days a week, and some weeks I don't go to school at all. It really depends on your school and whether or not you're going to attend class. If your school is like mine and has few required courses and lots of online and printed material to study from, class attendance isn't necessary.

This is true. I guess it kind of depends on what the OP wants to do. I always always study at school (which is about a mile away).

For M3/M4 though, you WILL be at the hospital, often by 6-7am, so you might be driving at 5am. Of course you can move, but you would have to sell/rent the house.

 

[Cold Penguin]

Have you considered the amount of gas money you would be spending through the four years of med school? If you are willing to take that, just make sure your credit card or bank account(whatever method you use to pay for your gas) is linked to points-award programs like airline mileage or thank-you-points. For sure, you will be able to accumulate lots of points enough for getting a free laptop or getting a free get-away cruise ticket in the end, something like that. Many award programs award triple and quadruple points for every dollar you spend for gas, and you will be able to accumulate lots of points over a short period of time.

It's worth checking out; that is when you have time.

 

[Long Dong]

I agree -- while it is certainly possible to have an hour commute to school, and I know quite a few people who do, you are really going to want those two hours a day back, if not for studying, then for unwinding time. Having done long commutes at times while working, I can tell you it grinds you down and exhausts you faster than anything.

Triple agree w/L2D and Prowler those extra 2 hours could be used for most importantly sleep, and working out. It's not as bad during the first 2 years, but definetly in 3rd year those extra 2 hours can make you or brake you. At least for me it would, cuz if I don't get enough sleep I can't retain anything I study.

 

[RisingSun]

I'm an incoming first year, so take this with a grain of salt, but I just signed a lease for a house that is approx. 12 miles from campus (UW in Seattle) and I plan on bicycling to and from campus. It should take me approx. 50 minutes. I figure that it will be a great way to wind down from a day of school as well as good exercise (a lot of you guys spend 1+ hours in the gym/working out each day, but I definitely won't need to go to the gym for exercise, so maybe it balances out). I'll catch the bus on heavy rain days or when I'm sick or have a test coming up. I plan on making this work. I might record lectures (our school doesn't have that service) and listen to them to/from school as I bicycle. Just gotta be careful I don't concentrate too much on the lecture and crash my bike.🙂

 

[beastmaster]

I just finished 2nd year with a 1-hour-each-way commute. Nothing to it, but I never actually went to class. However, I scheduled my surg/med/obgyn rotations to be within walking distance of the hospital, and the other less demanding rotations I've got a < 1hr subway ride.

 

[exmike]

Newbie question:

So it's official, I start medschool in late July. I currently own a house an hour away from the medical school, and have been commuting to the university via the park-and-ride shuttle for the last few years. Is this doable, or do I need to start looking at selling/renting my current place and finding something close to the medical school?

when you're putting 16+ hour days during surg/ob,.. you dont want to be driving 2 hours a day. and are you really going to drive for an hour post call? thats asking to get in an accident.

Move closer by your third year.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I'm an incoming first year, so take this with a grain of salt, but I just signed a lease for a house that is approx. 12 miles from campus (UW in Seattle) and I plan on bicycling to and from campus. It should take me approx. 50 minutes. I figure that it will be a great way to wind down from a day of school as well as good exercise (a lot of you guys spend 1+ hours in the gym/working out each day, but I definitely won't need to go to the gym for exercise, so maybe it balances out). I'll catch the bus on heavy rain days or when I'm sick or have a test coming up. I plan on making this work. I might record lectures (our school doesn't have that service) and listen to them to/from school as I bicycle. Just gotta be careful I don't concentrate too much on the lecture and crash my bike.🙂

I think the biking's a great idea, but I wouldn't listen to lectures if you're going to be cycling with traffic. IMO, headphones and bikes are a bad combo. Endangering your life to listen to some extra lectures isn't a good tradeoff. Plus, if you're actually attending the lecture, listening to it again isn't a time efficient way to study. I don't go to lecture, and I still don't listen to lecture recordings.

 

[Long Dong]

I plan on bicycling to and from campus. It should take me approx. 50 minutes. I figure that it will be a great way to wind down from a day of school as well as good exercise (a lot of you guys spend 1+ hours in the gym/working out each day, but I definitely won't need to go to the gym for exercise, so maybe it balances out). I'll catch the bus on heavy rain days or when I'm sick or have a test coming up. I plan on making this work. I might record lectures (our school doesn't have that service) and listen to them to/from school as I bicycle. Just gotta be careful I don't concentrate too much on the lecture and crash my bike.🙂

I listened to lectures while working out and it was great way to try and make things stick in my head. But as for the bike ride before lecture just make sure you have good deoderant, cuz nobody wants to sit next to ya if you smell like a$$.😀

 

[Law2Doc]

Endangering your life to listen to some extra lectures isn't a good tradeoff.

I don't know -- I almost died of boredom listening to quite a few.

If you are primarilly an auditory learner, you might actually get quite a bit out of relistening to lectures you've attended. Most people aren't. But as with pretty much everything in med school there are going to be things that work really well for some people and things that don't for others. The game is to figure out how you learn best/most efficiently/most painlessly.

 

[Miami_med]

I can tell you that an hour commute is doable if you have to, but it sure sucks. Trust me 😉 . Is your house an hour away because of distance or traffic? I ask, because I live an hour and a half away at 8:00 am, but I'm only 25 minutes away at 6:00 am. Consider studying early and beating traffic on days you have to come in.

 

[Miami_med]

I'm an incoming first year, so take this with a grain of salt, but I just signed a lease for a house that is approx. 12 miles from campus (UW in Seattle) and I plan on bicycling to and from campus. It should take me approx. 50 minutes. I figure that it will be a great way to wind down from a day of school as well as good exercise (a lot of you guys spend 1+ hours in the gym/working out each day, but I definitely won't need to go to the gym for exercise, so maybe it balances out). I'll catch the bus on heavy rain days or when I'm sick or have a test coming up. I plan on making this work. I might record lectures (our school doesn't have that service) and listen to them to/from school as I bicycle. Just gotta be careful I don't concentrate too much on the lecture and crash my bike.🙂

I wasn't aware that there were any days that weren't raining hard there 😉

 

[mudphudwannabe]

I currently have about a 30 minute commute between walking to the bus stop (about 15 minutes) and taking the bus (15 more), and last year it was a 45 minute bus ride. I thought my commute would be awful last year, but 45 minutes was doable. Of course there were days when it felt long and I just wanted to be home, but once I got into the routine it was fine. I think it is really a personal thing. Some people can't imagine living more than a few blocks away from school, while others don't mind a little extra time. I think especially if you can spend some or most of the commute on the bus rather than driving, it would probably be less of a drag -- you could even do some studying during that time if you like. The commute will make going to evening events at the med school more difficult, so if you plan to be involved in a lot of student orgs, that's something you might want to think about.

As far as third year goes, if you end up with a lot of away rotations, it won't matter where you live. I say cross that bridge when you come to it.

 

[rachmoninov3]

Thanks for the replies.

The whole story comes down to this:
For the past few years I've taken the park and ride bus 2x a week. If I were to take it 5 days/week, I'd still only be paying $105/month in transportation costs. I love my little place, I love being away from a big city, and mostly I love the clean air and the mountains.
My husband and I do have a chance to live close to the medical center, with cheap rent, but it will be under someone else's rules, and he's doesn't believe the deal will hold, that we'll be stuck with two mortgages or at least one mortgage and then the place next to the medical center. What happens if the deal folds and we've got all out stuff there and no $ to move back, or nowhere to move back to if we've got tenants?

As for the commute:
Many nurses I've worked with for the past few years make the commute, there's a van-pool leaving from my hospital to university, and the librarian at my hospital has said he'd do his best to get all the books I need via inter-library loan.

However, this still means a 2 hour commute for the first two years. At the second look day, we were told that the 3rd and 4th years are more flexible (and in fact, I could do them abroad if I chose to, so I might be able to do them here). Well there's still no telling until after I get all the information from the school, and then I can ask more particulars about class schedules and what not (this is a strong PBL school).

My only big concern with taking the bus now is gross anatomy (which is said to be everyday during the first year), I'd want a shower before endulging in one hour of public transportation home, and I'm sure my fellow passenger would agree!

 

[RisingSun]

I listened to lectures while working out and it was great way to try and make things stick in my head. But as for the bike ride before lecture just make sure you have good deoderant, cuz nobody wants to sit next to ya if you smell like a$$.😀

I'm gonna shower down before lecture.

Anyone have advice on portable recorders for recording lecture?

 

[45408]

I think the biking's a great idea, but I wouldn't listen to lectures if you're going to be cycling with traffic. IMO, headphones and bikes are a bad combo. Endangering your life to listen to some extra lectures isn't a good tradeoff. Plus, if you're actually attending the lecture, listening to it again isn't a time efficient way to study. I don't go to lecture, and I still don't listen to lecture recordings.

Likewise. People are stunned when I tell them that I don't go to class or listen to the lectures. We've got a decent note co-op service that fills in the gaps of our lecturer's notes, but the lecture notes are usually plenty of information.

 

[mudphudwannabe]

I had the same feeling, that I would want to shower immediately after anatomy lab. I got over it. Well, it took a little while since the first day I got spattered while we were doing the laminectomy -- of course on the little bit of my shirt that wasn't covered by the lab coat. But after that, I didn't really get that gross in gross. My husband never noticed any anatomy smell when I got home (and he was really grossed out by the prospect). You could bring a change of clothes, especially for the case of a spattering event, but you'll probably be wearing a lab coat which will take the brunt of the damage. There's no need to shower, except for your normal routine of course. 😀

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I wasn't aware that there were any days that weren't raining hard there 😉

That's what they tell you so you'll be sure to stay away and not drive up their real estate prices any more. 😉

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I had the same feeling, that I would want to shower immediately after anatomy lab. I got over it. Well, it took a little while since the first day I got spattered while we were doing the laminectomy -- of course on the little bit of my shirt that wasn't covered by the lab coat. But after that, I didn't really get that gross in gross. My husband never noticed any anatomy smell when I got home (and he was really grossed out by the prospect). You could bring a change of clothes, especially for the case of a spattering event, but you'll probably be wearing a lab coat which will take the brunt of the damage. There's no need to shower, except for your normal routine of course. 😀

Yeah, just change clothes and be sure to pull your hair back if it's longer. Hair falling on the cadaver = yucky and stinky. You'll smell nowhere near as bad as those people you encounter on the bus who haven't taken a shower or worn deodorant in a week.

 

[Miami_med]

That's what they tell you so you'll be sure to stay away and not drive up their real estate prices any more. 😉

Too late, all of the Californians already know.😉

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Too late, all of the Californians already know.😉

Stupid Californians!! 😡 Well we can at least keep the Texans away.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

That question is person depedent... I was just under 5 minutes from my house to the parking lot and close to another 5 minutes of walking to the desk...

For residency I am going to be right at a 20 minute drive and I am hoping I am not unhappy with that... but on the flip side, I will be living in the country on almost 3 acres...

Ive talked to some that love their commute as a time to unwind... sitting still in a car is just not my thing; and certainly not sitting in a subway or bus!!

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Doable? Of course. Does it suck? YES. Does it suck especially in the clinical years? YES!!

 

[busthwt]

what would suck is if you have exams in the morning like at 8 or something. but other than that it'll be a great escape with anything medically related

 

[dougiefresh27]

Yes, commuting is person dependent. Some can do it, and others can't. I think I can, my girlfriend would be traveling in the opposite direction for DDS and feels she can't. My plan was to use the lectures that are recorded daily at DMU and play them through my car stereo via my iPod while traveling. This would allow me to absorb more of what was said. I know that the best case would be to live across the street from class but that also leaves me 3 hours from my children. The commute seems like a comprimise to me. I would enjoy any comments, good or bad. I need to hear from those that have done it and see what works and doesn't work. Thanks!

 

[dougiefresh27]

I scrapped that idea and am buying a small house in east des moines. 15 minute drive to campus. thanks for all the input.

 

[Yehosh]

do the math, that is 2 hours a day which could be used to unwind/study

I had to make that same choice (move back home or get a place near school) and decided on the later

 

[owlet]

If I remember you correctly from some of your other posts, you'll be attending UNM in the fall. I decided to go elsewhere partially because of the commute, but i live a bit father away and the bus ride would have been more like 1.5 hrs after transferring in ABQ and I have kids who i do want to see occasionally. When i was thinking of doing it, though, I was going to stay in SF and then move to ABQ for 3rd and 4th years. It struck me that UNM would be better than some places to have to commute to b/c there is less time in lecture and more unstructured study time there.
Good luck, whatever you decide. I'm sad to be leaving NM.

 

[ambulancedriver]

an hour long commute where you drive is not very pleasant. it has repercussions beyond the 2 hours of driving everyday (leaves you mentally exhausted and gives you a bad case of persistant road rage).

but if you're not driving and will take mass transit, then that would actually be a pretty good time to relax and unwind

 

[Gut Shot]

What happens if the deal folds and we've got all out stuff there and no $ to move back, or nowhere to move back to if we've got tenants?

It sounds like you just need to suck it up and plan on park-n-ride for the first year. After a few months it will be clear whether you need to adjust your living situation.

and then I can ask more particulars about class schedules and what not (this is a strong PBL school).

Ugh, commuting two hours for each PBL session is going to get really old really fast, especially when you find out how useful most of them are.

My only big concern with taking the bus now is gross anatomy (which is said to be everyday during the first year), I'd want a shower before endulging in one hour of public transportation home, and I'm sure my fellow passenger would agree!

Eh, to heck with 'em. What's a little formalin? If you're really bothered just rinse off in the gym before returning home.

 

[Dr Girlfriend]

I can barely pull myself away from my apt that is 1.5 miles from campus. Couldn't imagine the pep talk I would need to go an hour! 🙂

 

[searun]

I'm an incoming first year, so take this with a grain of salt, but I just signed a lease for a house that is approx. 12 miles from campus (UW in Seattle) and I plan on bicycling to and from campus. It should take me approx. 50 minutes. I figure that it will be a great way to wind down from a day of school as well as good exercise (a lot of you guys spend 1+ hours in the gym/working out each day, but I definitely won't need to go to the gym for exercise, so maybe it balances out). I'll catch the bus on heavy rain days or when I'm sick or have a test coming up. I plan on making this work. I might record lectures (our school doesn't have that service) and listen to them to/from school as I bicycle. Just gotta be careful I don't concentrate too much on the lecture and crash my bike.🙂

Buy a bus pass because heavy rain days in Seattle is October 15-May 31, and the wind blows. I used to live in Seattle.

 

[proclivity]

I can barely pull myself away from my apt that is 1.5 miles from campus. Couldn't imagine the pep talk I would need to go an hour! 🙂

That is seriously pitiful, to say the least.


Someone needs some motivation, to say even less.


The question is, will they come to their senses and realize that they are privileged to be where they are? No one knows.

 

[proclivity]

Yes, commuting is person dependent. Some can do it, and others can't. I think I can, my girlfriend would be traveling in the opposite direction for DDS and feels she can't. My plan was to use the lectures that are recorded daily at DMU and play them through my car stereo via my iPod while traveling. This would allow me to absorb more of what was said. I know that the best case would be to live across the street from class but that also leaves me 3 hours from my children. The commute seems like a comprimise to me. I would enjoy any comments, good or bad. I need to hear from those that have done it and see what works and doesn't work. Thanks!

I would think that the longer time you had away from the kids, the more that would be used to accomplish tasks relative to medical school, no?

 

[Dzeteo]

I am going to commute about an hour and a half. It will be tough, but renting a place for my family in the city will cost more than my mortgage and car payment combined. I am lucky enough that our school podcasts lectures and I can review during driving. Plus my sister is close to campus, so I have a little place of refuge when the days get tough.
Whatever happens, the hard work will all be worth it in the end. HARD WORK PAYS. Just a generation ago my family lived on a pile of dirt in the third world, but hard work has change our lives.
Gas money is going to be a fright. Time to get a Honda Civic. The family minivan isn't going to cut it for these commutes.
I am sure that I will miss out on lots of social things, but I want to spend my free time with my cool kids anyways. Plus my lack of extra time will make me be much more organized. We shall see how it works out!

Good luck to all my fellow commuters!