Now that you’ve got admission into the college of your dreams there’s only one thing that stands in between you and finally kickstarting your adult life. And that’s moving out of home and into a hostel in Delhi. That’s right. No more parents barging into your room at any point in the day, no one nagging you to pick up your clothes or make your bed, no siblings interrupting your me-time or hogging your WiFi. You’re saying goodbye to all that drama and you’re ready to embrace the new freedoms of hostel life.

But hold on one second. We definitely agree that living in a hostel can be one of the most fun and unforgettable experiences of your life. But you may be a little too hasty about bidding farewell to the comforts of home. Because hostel life can be a little tough too. That’s why we’ve got you a list of the top things you need to know before you move into your hostel. These tips will help you be prepared for this new phase of your life and start your journey on the right foot. So, let’s get started.

Privacy will be hard to find

You definitely won’t have parents or siblings interrupting your conversations or walking into your space, but a hostel is a place where privacy becomes a premium commodity. You could have roommates sharing your space, multiple people living on the same floor or hall, not to mention shared common areas, washrooms and dining facilities. So, if you’re someone who values a lot of me-time, you should know right off the bat that privacy is not something you’ll have a tonne of. But there’s a flipside to that – it means you’ll always have people with whom to share your thoughts and feelings, discuss problems, joke or even just chill together at the end of a long day. That sense of community can be really great, especially when the homesickness hits.

You’ll save on travel time

If you’re living in your college hostel itself, you’re already on campus and you have nothing to worry about. But even if you’re living in a hostel that’s not on campus directly, it’ll probably be located somewhere close to your college. Which means you’ll have minimal time and distance to travel in order to get to your classes. And you know what that means – you can get those precious extra few minutes of sleep in the morning. And if your hostel is on campus or within walking distance, you might even get away with wearing your pyjamas to class (but hopefully not too often!) That’s a tonne of time and effort you’ve saved just by making smart living decisions.

You’ll always be hungry

We don’t know what it is about hostel life but it’s sure to play its role on your appetite. And add to that the fact that your hostel will probably have fixed mealtimes, and you just know you’ll be waiting for dinner time to strike. Just keep in mind that all your fellow residents will be doing the same, so it’ll be important to reach your dining hall in time so you can eat to your heart’s content. Especially if your hostel is a professionally managed accommodation like Stanza Living which provides delicious chef-prepared meals from a dynamic food menu that you definitely won’t want to miss out on. And it’s a good idea to keep your room stocked with snacks or ingredients for some quick microwave meals because you never know when the hunger pangs could strike.

You’ll learn to live on a budget

If this is your first time learning to manage your own money, hostel life is going to whip you into shape. You’ll figure out exactly what it means to live within your means, to balance your essentials with your entertainment, and of course where to find the best bargains and discounts across Delhi. You might find yourself waiving off the big shopping malls for a trip to Sarojini Nagar or taking advantage of free screenings and student discounts to catch up on your favourite films. And there’s no shame in doing that. It’ll make you understand how you can stretch your allowance and ensure you’re judicious about your spending habits.

And there you have it! These are the basic facts you need to know before you commit to hostel living in Delhi. Just remember that hostel life can be one of the most enjoyable times, and that you’re sure to make a lot of friends. So, keep our tips in mind and go make the most of your time living in a hostel!