14. Life in a College Hostel

 14. Life in a College Hostel

College is the place of learning and enlightenment whereas hostel is the place of its fulfilment. That is why; hostel is regarded as an integral part of a college. A student who  has never stayed at a hostel is, indeed, deprived of a valuable part of experience. It is said "East or West, home is the best." But this maxim does not hold good to the life in a college hostel because hostel is like a home, a shelter and a monastery for a student. Hostel life is the most pleasurable period of a student's life and is a world in itself. It leaves deep impressions and memories which remain alive and haunt the mind till the last moment of man's life.

Besides college, hostel also  a great hand in producing the great and the wise because hostel life gives a practical training to a student in his mental, moral and spiritual development. Here the student is not under the close supervision of his parents. He enjoys perfect independence and performs his duty in freedom under which his true worth comes to the view and he is able to make his mark as he likes. His habits become  regular and his mind is disciplined when he obeys the hostel rules and regulations.

Hostel life is very colourful, charming and fascinating. It is a wonderful life of bliss, freedom, liberty and learning. An atmosphere of competition prevails. Everyone is enhanced by this blissful atmosphere of the hostel. All kinds of young, sportive and energetic members from far and wide, belonging to different castes, colours, races and families stay here. Still they do not feel any kind of estrangement rather they seem to be belonging to one family. There is always an atmosphere of happiness and enjoyment. Cares and worries of life dare not enter the four walls of the hostel.

The superintendent runs all the affairs in the hostel. He guides and controls the students in matters of discipline. But his way of control is nominal i.e. less strict but friendlier. Still the students are afraid of him. The students elect their own perfect and two monitors who assist the superintendent in running the affairs and are responsible for discipline among students. In this way, students learn management which creates a sense of responsibility in them.

The students come to say in a hostel from various parts of the country bringing with them their own culture, traditions, languages, dress, fashion, manners, habits and styles of living. They exchange their views and share their hardships and sympathies with one another. They learn how to help and cooperate with others. and how to win others sympathies. In a hostel, a student does not like to depend on others. He has to make his own bed, polish his own shoes iron his own clothes and manage his daily affairs of life.

Hostel has certain rules and regulations for the benefit of the students. There are fixed hours for eating, sleeping, studying and outing. No one dares violate them. If some one does so, he does it at the cost of his own expulsion from the hostel and even the college. The serious and industrious students burn mid-night oil to get good marks in the examination.

There is a reading room furnished with daily newspapers and latest magazines. The students study them and enrich their knowledge. The common room is the centre of the activities of the students. They assemble there in the evening and take part in indoor games. Every common room is equipped with a TV set. Any student, who feels weariness and boredom, goes there and refreshes himself for putting even more strenuous labour in his studies. Outdoor games and picnic parties are frequently arranged. The ends and objectives of all the students are common there. Hence, no boy or girl can be selfish. All are very sincere and co-operative.

There is also a dark aspect of hostel life. Sometimes, a number of naughty and mischievous ruffians come to stay at the hostel. Many of them are idlers and sluggish fellows who have no serious aim in their lives. They do nothing than raising slogans and uproar at ear splitting treble. A few of them keep their tape recorders on till late at night. Sometimes, the boys clap hands, sing songs and dance befool every new-comer. In this way, they pollute the sacred atmosphere of the hostel and render it totally void of any pleasant thing.

Sometimes the students become indifferent to their families. they contact their parents only for monthly allowances. They adopt strange types of fashions and frequently go to cinemas, theatres, clubs, and coffee houses. Many times, they become drug-addicts and smokers. Sometimes, they take part in party politics and keep ammunition in their rooms and disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the hostel. But all these evils can be checked and curbed through strict discipline and healthy environment and hostel be made an ideal place for the students to stay in.