I'd been living in a hostel for 2 years and finally checked out last week. It was a really low budget type so the experiences might be different compared to a moderately maintained hostel.
How does living in a hostel feel like?
1. The best thing is that it is super convenient.
I'm a very forgetful person.
Once, I forgot my pencil case for a mid-term exam and had to rush back to my hostel. Just ask others to lend me a pen, you'll say. Oh no, it's not just stationaries inside my pencil case. That's where I also keep my ID card, phone, emergency candy, calculator, sometimes you’ll find money or my purse in it.
I can't live without my pencil case.
And then there's that lecturer who cancels/postpones/extends/replace classes at a very late notice.
The thing is you save the trouble waiting for public transportation or cursing while driving on the road because your initial plans are messed up.
But here's the real deal: you can wake up at 9.40 a.m. and still be on time for your 10 a.m. class.
For those of you driving, good luck finding a parking spot though, you’ll be competing with sudden appearances of extra cars that only exist when those smarties suddenly wake up from hibernation and compete for your parking spot, besides like, well, everything in life, not just your parking spot.
No need explanation for that.
Usually, there are other non-residents living or having lunch with their friends for fun or financial purposes. The security system is not strict, sometimes it’s just a test of your acting skills, and others may need some face recognition or ID card scanners.
Non-residents who managed to get in just to save some extra cash, shame on you! (Still, I’m impressed)
The only hot water you’ll get from your floor is from the water dispenser. And no, it is not for bathing purposes.
From my experience, I eventually got used to it. At first, it was painful but then I found my way to make it relaxing…
Music!
Just turn up your favorite songs if there’s no one using the stalls. I’ll suggest pop songs because it gets you moving and your body will be distracted and won’t be too focused on the cold. Plus, it’s good workout! But hey, if you love blues and slow jazz, go ahead and play them!
There’s bound to be some problems arising from bad hygiene. You’ll probably know those unspoken rules if you’re a decent person. (Flush, please)
Honestly, you can find weird things (well, more like discharges) in common bathrooms. For girls, it’s usually periods and those used sanitary pads that are hanging or piling up on some place where you never thought exist for that purpose (which is of course not for that purpose) and guys, well, we all get the idea why you guys take showers that exceed beyond normal showering time.
So everyone, no matter where you are, please Please clean up after your mess.
They are adorable and I’m always fond of them, but letting a stray cat strut into your room and sleep under your bed? No, thank you.
It’s gonna jump onto my bed and I can’t resist a cat that just begs to be cuddled. 100%.
One cat wanted to be in my room so much that she waited in front of my room for hours. Waiting for me to open the door just wide enough so that I could get out, and she could get in.
Smart, cat logic.
It was scary, I was locked inside for 4 hours and I ended up missing my class. I could see her silhouette through the door crack. That cat was one heck of a problem.
I was fortunate enough not to have mosquitos humming around my dreams but there were a few tiny spiders here and there. No need to fret, just have faith that the lizards will get to them, after they’re done with the moths.
If having lizards isn’t an option, one way is to always dust and wipe your furniture and windows clean. Or you could request for a room at a higher floor, it does not entirely solve the problem but you can clean less often though.
That’s about it then. If you have the chance to stay in an in-campus hostel, go for it. It might help you save some unnecessary waste of time and costs. Maybe occasionally you get to pet a cat or two that fancies you.