Outstation girls say no to university hostels

It is that time of the year when collegians return to the campus life after enjoying their summer holidays. From freshers struggling to settle into their new academic life, to outstation students adjusting to the new lifestyle in Nagpur, youngsters are back on the academic track. However, this year, quite a few outstation girls studying at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) have decided not to stay in the university hostel; they are opting for independent flats and paying guest facilities.We find out the reasons...
Nagpur, being home to some of the most important institutions for higher education, attracts students from all over the country. While for any outstation student, living in university hostel would be the preferred option, the trend of renting flats and paying guest facility is fast catching up among them. Shweta Bhagwan, a student from Yavatmal says, “I agree that living in the university hostel is safe and affordable. However, the standard of living at the girls’ hostel is not good. From what I found so far, there are many issues related to hygiene there. Also, they have a strict evening curfew, which I don’t like. Hence my friends and I have decided not to opt for university hostel and rent out an apartment instead, where we can live the way we want to.”
To a lot of outstation girls, living together in the comfort of a flat provides an exciting start to a new life in the city. Disha Tewari, a student of BBA from Chandrapur says, “Living in an independent apartment teaches you a lot. We will learn to cook our own food, manage our expenses and at the same time, have fun with our roommates. These are the little things one can’t do in hostels. Hence, I somehow convinced my parents to let me rent out an apartment with four other friends in the city. This shall be a learning experience.”
A lot of girls feel that they don’t need unnecessary restrictions on their freedom. Hence choosing a paying guest facility is the way forward for them. Shravani Pande, a student of Akola says, “Living in a paying guest facility is like living at home away from home. I found a house in the city where we get free Wi-Fi and the curfew time is 10 PM, which is cool. At least, I will be able to live in a cozy place, cook my food, and also go out with my roommates in the evening. In the university hostel, there's restriction on watching television, listening to music after certain hours. Which is too much. Hence living in a paying guest facility is a far better option for me.”