Education is one part of the college experience, another part is freedom. In terms of personal development that independence from home is very important. However, with soaring rents, students within commuting distance of their education hub should consider it as a way to save money.

This works particularly well if you have a year where you will be in lectures for one semester and work experience for another, for example.

If you have a neighbour that you could lift share with, that can work for those commuting with a car. Public transport services offer discounted tickets for students. Incoming college students will likely have to wait until orientation or the first week of lectures to get a student ID card and will be able to use that as proof that you are a student when looking for a discount.

A weekly or monthly ticket will often work out cheaper. And if you are in Dublin, a student Leap card is handy for bus, DART and Luas services.

Cyclists

If you are planning to cycle to and from your lectures, don’t bring a good bike that is likely to be stolen. Register your bike on www.bikeregister.ie so that gardai can return your bike to you if it is stolen. Take the time to familiarise yourself with cycle lanes around the area you will be commuting in.