hostel guide*

*subject to changes
→ Living semi-independently for the first time brings about some mental and physical
challenges. And specifically, as a NUST H-12 hostelite, you are faced with overwhelming
difficulties. This guide solely serves to mentally orient you and prepare you for those
difficulties because some of them are inevitable. I assume you must have applied for and
received a hostel room after your successful selection. If not, do it before reading further.

→ Upon joining, the process is not that complicated. You submit the due fees and security
deposit and, on arrival, get a triple occupancy room quite smoothly (you have to wait 2-3
years for a double occupancy room). The first problem you may encounter: roommates. Not
everyone is your idealized roommate, and neither are you for them - so the adjustment period
requires compromises. But if there is one thing that may become an eventual headache for
you, it’s making compromises on your moral principles. Under no circumstances whatsoever
give in to being peer-pressured into imitating unethical habits. No matter how dope or cool it
may seem initially, it only brings about future regrets. Surround yourself with positive
people, and speaking from my personal experience, you have to be on a constant lookout for
them, they exist, but in contemporary times, the percentage is diminishing. The influence of a
slightly better or a worse circle compounds over time and shapes your character.

→ If you’re someone who knows the difference between desi cuisine and what’s healthy for
an individual of your age, you will be in a constant rage over the food provided by the mess.
Focus primarily on a balanced diet composed of decent carbohydrates, sufficient protein, a
reasonable amount of fats, and adequate vitamins and minerals. Even though the workload
may be hectic for you depending upon your study and ECA (Extra Curricular Activity)
commitments, have daily exercise as your second priority - you will thank yourselves later.

→ Cleanliness, ironically, seems like a struggle while living in hostels. But from a humane
perspective, it is the first thing you should be worried about. You will encounter washrooms
that stink and make you feel like vomiting instantly, but the least you can do is keep your
rooms clean and frequently make an effort to concern the manager with proper cleaning of
washrooms (you have a right to do that).

→ For most of the semester, you will either get along well with your roommates or find like-
minded people and spend most of your time with them. Allocating wise time to your studies
and entertainment is something you should be capable and mindful of. Otherwise, regrets
would compound, and no one would be there to blame besides yourself.
→ The first major administrative issue encountered was after returning from Eid-ul-Fitr. I
arrived on Friday, while the hostels were to open on Sunday. Having good faith in the
administration, I (along with other fellows who arrived early) went straight to the makeshift
arrangement for people staying on Eid and realized there was no arrangement to reside
anywhere on campus. They expected us to travel back instead of facilitating. So how did this
issue arise? Firstly, the managers were to inform their students that hostels will be closed till
Sunday. So the first lapse happened between our hostel manager and fellow hostelites (we
were not informed). Secondly, upon a lapse, there should be proper crisis management.
Unfortunately, there weren’t any signs of crisis management at all. What should you do in
such circumstances? Firstly, make arrangements for yourself. Secondly, in unison, lodge
official complaints to everyone responsible for this situation: the managers, assistant
directors, and deputy directors. I will elaborate more on this sentence at the end of this guide.

→ The second major administrative issue was when, due to non-parallel semesters, the
seniors had completed their academic year before us, and therefore, we had to shift the
majority of our belongings from the topmost floor of our hostel to a new hostel. Practically
speaking, the room allotments in such a situation should be dealt with beforehand to prevent
any further inconvenience to the hostelites. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and we had
to stand an hour or two in line to get a room only to realize someone was residing in it.
Luckily, after 2/3 hours, we finally got a room with locked cupboards (yes, we had to live out
of suitcases). Though you may not encounter this issue any time in the future, this does
highlight the administrative competency. If any situation of this sort arises again, the least
you can do is lodge official complaints signed by as many hostelites as possible.

→ The third major administrative issue arises during shifting hostels back and forth if you
stay for Eid. Though this is not a significant issue, you may encounter petty administrative
issues that will test your patience. To ensure you know it beforehand, you shift to Rumi
Hostels during Eid and back to your hostel after Eid.

→ Coupling other difficulties together: your complaints may not be dealt with properly and
you may have some issues in room allotments and switching (if you choose to do that. Yes, it
is possible via mutual consensus with the hostelite you are swapping rooms with). Further,
you may find the taps empty during the summer due to water shortage, and it will be the most
serious problem you will face for a few months. Also, you may be susceptible to a disturbed
stomach, and it would take a few weeks to morph in. Other trivialities include facing
condescending behavior from the management staff, unnecessary complications in
documenting procedures, and load-shedding.

→ You can wash clothes on your own or use the laundry. There are two options they offered
to us: 20 PKR per piece and it will be cleaned and ironed within 1-2 days or free washing and
ironing, but it takes up to 4-5 days. You can get your clothes ironed daily but ask the relevant
people beforehand about the cut-off time. In our time, the laundry closed at 9 PM, but we had
to quarrel every time we went to get our clothes ironed after 7 PM.

→ Ragging is also common in the first week of joining the hostel. For the most part, it is
purely good intentioned with seniors having some entertainment in exchange for networking
and advice. Though if it crosses boundaries, you have all the rights to complain to your
respective managers/caretakers.
→ Conclusively, you will certainly not have an easy ride as a hostelite, but you will get used
to the environment within a few months. As for the official complaint point, you must realize
that you are not in an administratively competent location. So, you will have to go out of your
way, be assertive about your rights, and sometimes push unnecessarily just for someone to
hear your complaint. Luckily, there are always understanding people in every sector, and they
will assist you brilliantly. Unfortunately, this is a truth not limited to the aspect in question.
Rather relevant to most of the places you will visit in Pakistan.

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