Well Sherrie, I have to go about 1 hour by train every morning, but I live at my parents', which I sometimes find is a disadvantage. But it's okay and you might be right thinking that music helps; indeed it does. Been listening to "Testify" over and over again on my discman on the train. Time flies when you got something lovely to do!
Sometimes I would like to live by my uni though, cos I don't have friends near where I live, but I would love to go out with people more often, and I am pretty sure everything will work out well for your sister-in-law once she has made friends with fellow students.
Good luck for her!