Hostel Blues

“No one prepares you for what lies ahead or beneath,” says Sukhsimrit Gurm who is pursuing her MBA at Sadhna Centre for Management and Leadership Development,Pune. “Trust no one,” says photographer and writer Navdeep Sandhu. “Always be quiet and observant. Do not be deceived by those who are oversmart or extroverted,” says the former Panjab University student.

The first few days in a new hostel have their own share of hiccups and teething problems. “One is excited to begin the first year of college and the next thing you know,you have to line up at 5 am for a bucket of water,” says Sukhpreet Kaur,remembering her days at Queen Mary’s and SRCC,New Delhi. “Be prepared to live in public view. There is no privacy,people stream in and out of your room and will sniff around for knickknacks from home,” she says. Which brings us to rule number two: “Always keep your stuff under lock and key,especially undergarments,money and tuck,” says banker Maneet Gurm who spent several years at Chelsea Shimla.

Hostels are a playground for learning. “With time you learn to be a better judge of people,be street-smart and more confident,” says Navdeep. A student of MBA at ISB Hyderabad,Abhishek Mohunta takes us to rule number three: “No other place will allow to exploit social capital as much as a hostel. Make friends,be open to change,mingle. Always look out for like-minded,bright spots,make them your gang,hang out together,have a friend base that stays forever.” Involve yourself in activities and clubs so that you never get bored. “Stay away from bullies and steer clear of gossip mongers,” says banker Jasleen Kaur,recounting her hostel days at Fore Institute of Management,Delhi. “It was fun,sneaking in stuff,planning birthdays,throwing secret parties. We also sneaked in heating rods,small electric heaters,snacks to eat. When the warden came checking,we hid them on the roof,” she adds.

Food in hostels is usually a sorry affair. “So,always keep tea bags,milk powder and instant noodles,” Kaur says. “Better still,get friendly with the guys in charge of kitchen and get them to bring whatever you want to your room. Then,find a fellow hostelier who will pay for it all,” Nikhil Sharma says jocularly. Often,people are loud,messy or irritating. “So have ear plugs and eye shades handy,” says fourth year Thapar Institute student of Mechanical Engineering Paras Sharma.

Adjusting with roommates is another testing area in a hostel life. Sukhpreet advices against too much experimentation as far as sexual matters go. Boys get away easier while girls are put under hawk eyes and restrictive rules. “So pick and choose cool local guardians and try and get letters out of them for night outs,” Jasleen gets naughty. At the end of the day you are living with friends,and every minute of it is worth it.