Hostel life can be tough, especially for the first-timers who are moving away from home. It takes a while to adjust to the new lifestyle and that can take a toll on you. But like everything else in life, the experience of living in a hostel is one of its kinds, and having some tips for hostel life can always come in handy!
Tips For Hostel Life To Make Sure That You Have The Best Experience
If you are one of those who are moving into a hostel then take note of these 20 tips that will make hostel life easier for you. You can thank us later! *Wink*
1. Get Home-made Food As Often As You Can
Whenever you visit home or any relative make sure you get yourself some home-cooked meals because it should not come as a surprise that food in the hostel mess sucks big time! This is one of the cardinal tips for hostel life, and one that will earn you many friends as well!
2. Share And Care
People in the hostel will take your stuff, whether you like it or not. Accepting the fact that sharing is one hard rule everyone lives by in a hostel will make your days less stressful. And remember, the more you share the more things you can borrow! If there is anything you need to know about hostel life, it is that sharing is caring!
3. Know When To Say “No”
It will be easier to say yes to everything and everyone initially to get along with people, but soon it will start affecting the rest of your life. While you might be getting worked up about how to make hostel life interesting, do understand that it should not come at the cost of your peace of mind. Understand that it is okay to not go out every night or stay up late just because everyone else is. Or refusing to lend your expensive earphones to the most irresponsible person does not make you arrogant or stuck-up. If anything, it makes you more confident in life.
4. Learn Subtle Techniques To Avoid People
It is quite normal to get a little annoyed with people around you when you stay with them 24×7. Instead of expressing that emotion through your words and expressions, try to avoid them for a while using subtle techniques like plugging in your earphones when you see them approaching, pretending to be sleeping or reading something. Chances are in a few days you will be over that feeling and things can go back to normal without them ever finding out! Hostel life in India can be pretty daunting with everyone over your head all the time. So the sooner you learn the subtle techniques, the better!
Also read: 7 Crazy Things That Are Totally Normal In A Girls’ Hostel!
5. Keep Some Money Stowed Away
You never know where you end up spending money when living on your own, especially in a hostel, when you can’t keep a track of every small penny you spend on yourself or others. And before you know it, you are left with an empty wallet. Try to take out some money in the beginning of the month and hide it away in your almirah for a rainy day similar to this! This is one of those tips for hostel life that you will always thank us for!
6. Hang Out With Your Roommates At Least Once A Week
It is SO important to gel nicely with your rookies – after all, you are going to spend a lot of time doing absolutely nothing with them. So make sure you and your roommates make plans or do something together at least once a week. It could be as simple as watching a movie or as complicated as prepping for doomsday, just make sure you do it! Trust us, your roomies’ play are your answer to how to adjust to a hostel!
7. Be Friendly With The Hostel Guards/ Warden/ Cook
They are the ones who will give you the most perks during your hostel life – be it an extra piece of chicken or late-night entry or permission to stay away for the weekend, they can make everything easier for you. Be sweet and strike up small talk whenever you can, it will take you a long way! Let us just say that of all our tips for hostel life, this one is essential for your survival!
8. Test The Bathroom Before You Step In
Because, honestly, you don’t want to be stuck in a cubicle with no water and it always happens at the worst time too! This is practically survival 101 when it comes to how to live in the college hostel!
9. Get Up-to-date With All The New Tv Sitcoms
You’ll need this ultimate piece of knowledge to strike up a good conversation with basically anybody in your hostel. This will also give you long hours of life-changing conversations and future binge-buddies! Of all our tips for hostel life, this one is definitely the most fun!
10. Learn Basic Life Chores
It’s time to do basic adulting, guys! Washing your clothes and dishes, cleaning up your room once in a while – you will need to learn all of this on your own. But don’t freak out, once you see everyone around you struggling with the same things, you’ll know it will all be FINE!
Also read: Missing Home? 10 Ways To Feel Better & Fit Into Your New Life
11. Practice Sleeping In Noise
Nope, no one will lower the volume for you around here, sadly, and if you are one of those people who need absolute silence to fall asleep then you are in for a lot of sleepless nights. The best way to adjust is to practice sleeping with music playing or the TV on before you move into your hostel to acclimatize your sleep cycle to what lies ahead! These tips for hostel life will save your sleep!
12. Participate In College Activities
Don’t confine yourself to your hostel and its inhabitants, take part in college activities because you will have the time and you will live right there! It will not just keep you occupied and introduce you to new people but also give you multiple things you can add to your CV!
13. Respect Your Seniors
Admit it, they have been here longer so they know things better. If you respect your seniors, they will respect you in return and help you out when you really need it because no one does it better than them! This one is practically a checklist for hostel students!
14. Avoid Conflicts
No, we don’t mean don’t stand up for what you believe in, but try to avoid unnecessary conflicts for as long as you can. Keep your life peaceful and filled with happy vibes and watch it spread to the people around you!
15. Steer Away From Peer Pressure
The minute you feel like someone is pressuring you or forcing you to do something, cut yourself off from them for a while. It is easy to fall prey to peer pressure at a hostel, so keep your eyes and mind open to what’s happening around you.
16. Train Your Nose!
More often than not, you will find yourself living with people who don’t care much about hygiene or are just plain lazy! While you can’t badger your hostel mates all the time to clean up after them, you sure can train your nose to avoid the….smells! Trust us, this is your initiation into how to live in a college hostel!
17. Make The Most Of Your Electric Kettle
If there is one partner in crime that will never leave your side, it is your humble electric kettle! Not only can it be used to boil milk and water, but this little saviour can make you maggie, boil eggs, and can even scramble eggs!
18. Know All The Hiding Places
For all the unannounced moments when the hostel warden comes on her daily rounds, this little trick would be your knight in shining armour! Know all the hiding places beforehand so that you can hide your precious appliances that you know are not allowed in the hostel premises!
19. Get Creative!
For most of us, hostels are the first time you ever get to live on your own away from the parents. So use this time to get creative with yourself and get ready to decorate your room in a burst of all the pretty colours! This is one of the most beautiful experiences of Indian hostel life!
20. Befriend Locals!
Now, this is one of those essential tips for hostel life that will help you get through your graduation! Befriend the day scholars and you get all the insider information on cool shopping places, cafes, and the best part, you get to indulge in home-cooked food every once in a while! Despite all its pains, hostel life is really fun and interesting, so make sure that you make the most of it!
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