My commute right now is 30 mins in the subway and it's a bit frustrating to not be able to use that time to do anything useful. I'm disconnected from Bloomberg, emails, podcasts or ability to listen to any AM earnings call for most of my time underground.
How do you guys utilize this time? I hate losing 30 minutes of my day in the morning & then trying to "get back" that time when I'm at my desk.
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some practical ways to make your subway commute more productive, even without connectivity:
Offline Reading: Download articles, research reports, or books in advance. Many professionals recommend focusing on materials that enhance your industry knowledge or personal growth.
Planning Your Day: Use the time to mentally or physically outline your priorities for the day. Jot down tasks, goals, or strategies in a notebook or on your phone (offline).
Mindfulness or Reflection: Take a moment to clear your mind, practice mindfulness, or reflect on your goals. This can help you start the day with a focused mindset.
Flashcards or Notes: If you're preparing for certifications, interviews, or just want to sharpen your skills, review flashcards or notes offline.
Exercise Your Brain: Engage in puzzles, crosswords, or brain-training apps that work offline to keep your mind sharp.
Offline Podcasts or Audiobooks: Download podcasts or audiobooks the night before to listen during your commute.
Language Learning: Use apps like Duolingo or flashcards offline to learn or practice a new language.
Journaling: Use the time to journal your thoughts, ideas, or reflections. It’s a great way to stay organized and creative.
By preparing in advance and leveraging offline tools, you can turn your subway commute into a productive and even enjoyable part of your day.
Sources: Ways of Underperformance - and how to avoid them (Part 1), How can we do better?, How Do You Deal With the BB Sweatshop Hours?, How the hell do you stay healthy in sweat shop groups?, What is everyone's daily morning/evening routine like?
You do understand that you can download a podcast, right?
How about reading a book, or a magazine? This may come as a surprise, but as you advance in your career, spending every waking hour on sweaty try-hard activities like listening to an earnings call become far less important, and being able to connect with clients becomes far more important. Having interests other than shaving 3 seconds off the time it takes to build a DCF model will go a long way towards that. Having a personality will go a long way.
Yeah, download the podcasts, or I also download the earnings calls.
Close second is try and not get stabbed
Literally nothing. Have an hour long commute. Sometimes its nice just to relax and listen to music, watch tiktok, scroll through reddit, or take a nap and fully un plug.
Sometimes 30 minutes can feel like a lost opportunity! One way to use that time is to read articles or reports related to your work. Just download them to your phone before your commute. If you like listening, try downloading podcasts or audiobooks to enjoy while you ride. You could also use that time to plan your day or jot down thoughts in a notebook or a notes app. And don’t underestimate the value of just relaxing or practicing mindfulness during your commute. Finding small ways to make that time work for you can help you feel more productive without stressing about catching up later!
Honestly, I just stay vigilant to people around me. Subways in NYC don't feel as safe as they did years ago. Nearly got assaulted by a much larger guy who was spitting racial slurs (I'm Asian) at me inside a Manhattan station in the late 2010s (was tipsy / late night, luckily a random cop came out of nowhere).
Ever since then, I don't listen to anything during my public travels in the NYC area. I always try to walk near the center of the platform and not on the edges.
I look Arab / Muslim and I used to get friendly nods in Philly subways when I used to live there (huge Black Muslim population in Philly). Never had a problem and learned a few Arabic terms for safety reasons lol.
I once commuted 1.5 hours each way (3h a day) for an internship during summer (non-IB). I finished many books during that internship.
By making sure I don't get murdered by the crack-head / tweaker that somehow ended up in my train car
You shouldn't be working you should have your head on a swivel for bums and "influencers" that'll assault you lol
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