Tips For Freshers - Hostel Life Is Going To Be Very Different

Moving to a hostel can be a very daunting change in a person’s life. A number of us will soon be living alone for the very first time without the luxury of our parent’s constant attention. Scary as this may sound, staying in hostel is a wonderful experience of its own once you get used to the many nitty-gritties of staying in a building with strangers. Here are a few tips to help you start adjusting to your soon-to-be awesome life in hostel.

Small Things Can Make A Big Difference

Packing important things like clothes, books and laptop remembers everyone but amid all the mess you tend to miss out the smaller things that make a big difference when you need them. Here are some things you can quickly start adding to your list:

• Washing powder (You won’t understand the importance until you’ve got an urgent meeting the next morning)

• Hand wash (Trust me you’ll need this)

• Glass, plate/bowl and spoon (Because happiness comes from stomach)

• Dishwashing liquid (How are you going to clean your dishes after your late night maggi)

• Needles, Threads, and Scissors (Everyone forgets them but it’s gonna be the first thing you miss)

• Footwear for bathroom (Yes you will need this too)

“Sharing Is Caring” Is Soon Going To Be Real

Hostels are a place where “everything is yours” but “nothing is just yours”. Your mates are going to borrow your things with or without your permission and you can either learn to adjust or you can keep your more valuable items safely locked up.

Your Roommate Is Going To Be Your Saviour

Your roommates are going to be your rocks when troubled winds come calling down the semester and you will be doing the same for them soon. Make an effort to talk to your roommates and try to spend more time with them. After all, who else will is going to give you their share of sweets from the mess hall?

Ignorance Is Bliss!

It’s better to not harbour any expectations for a quiet environment when you are studying or sleeping. Practise both these activities in noisy environments before coming to hostel or come equipped with the best noise-cancelling headphones that you can get.

Sabka Sapna Money Money

Hostel life with friends is one which makes any money you have magically disappear. It is good to develop a habit of keeping track of your expenses. Regardless, always keep a small amount for emergencies in a safe place under lock and key. This way, you aren’t left wanting when you really want to get an ice-cream from the canteen.

Stock Up On Home Cooked Food

However much they try, mess halls can never replace the sumptuous home food that we have grown up with. Whenever you go home or go out, try and bring back some food or snacks for the next 2 days until you have to face the dreaded mess hall again.

It’s Better You Plan It Out

Living in hostel entails with it certain activities like washing clothes, washing water bottles and cleaning combs. Now that you don’t have your mother to remind you of such tasks, it would be helpful to decide on a weekly or monthly dates for such activities. This way, you can plan your other activities without having to suddenly realize that you don’t have anything to wear because you forgot to wash your clothes the previous day.

Take The Stairs

Unless you are an athlete or sports person, most people tend to ignore their physical health once they join hostel. A simple way of maintain basic physical fitness would be to take the stairs wherever you go and walk across the campus as much as you can. After all, there’s no easier exercise than walking.

Fun Needs To Be Taken Seriously

Moving into hostel with a whole host of new friends is a great chance for you to spread your wings and come out of your shell. Talk to people, make new friends, try new activities and make the most of this experience. In a nutshell, have as much fun as you can.