First-year hostel student: packing list, mess food, homesickness tips? | Student Forum

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Hi everyone, I got my admission confirmation for a NIT and I'm moving into the hostel in two weeks. I'm from Kerala and this will be my first time living away from home. I'm super nervous about what to pack, whether the mess food will be okay, how to handle missing my family, and managing my monthly pocket money. Any advice from seniors or parents who've been through this?

8 Replies

CharanReddyTel5mo ago

Mother here. I was very worried too, but my son is thriving now (second year). Pro tip: send a small parcel every month with homemade snacks or his favourite items — it's not just food, it reminds him he's cared for. Also, the college counsellor is there if homesickness becomes serious. Don't hesitate to reach out to them or your warden. All the best, beta!

JasdeepGillPun5mo ago

Homesickness is normal and usually fades by week 3-4 once you make close friends. Set up video calls with your parents on a fixed schedule (like Sunday evenings) so you have something to look forward to, but don't isolate yourself in your room. Join clubs, attend hostel events, and sit with different people at meals — that's how real friendships form. Your roommates will become your support system.

DebarghyaSenWes5mo ago

Welcome! Don't stress too much — most of us felt the same way. For packing: bring comfortable clothes, basic toiletries, medicines (especially any personal prescriptions), a good mattress protector, and one nice outfit for events. Skip heavy luggage; you'll realise you don't need half of it. Mess food gets better once you know the timings and which days have decent items — first week is rough, but it improves.

BhargavBoraAss5mo ago

OP, regarding mess: bring a water bottle and some instant coffee/tea bags because the common area tea is sometimes not great. Also, check if your hostel has a canteen or nearby shops — they save your life on really bad food days. And honestly, by month 2, you'll be cooking simple stuff in your room (ramen, maggi) with friends. That becomes part of the fun.

NiyatiMehtaGuj5mo ago

One more packing thing: bring a few pairs of good socks and undergarments (5–7 days worth) because washing clothes on tight schedules is a pain. Also, a small first-aid kit and pain relief meds. Laundry service at hostel can be expensive, so many of us hand-wash lighter stuff. And please, please bring a decent bed sheet and pillow — hostel ones are often not comfy.

RohanChaudharyDel5mo ago

I'm from an outstation background too (Uttarakhand, joined a Southern NIT). The mess food actually taught me to appreciate my mum's cooking! But seriously, the social life more than makes up for it. You'll eat hundreds of meals together with the same 80–100 people, and those become some of your best friends. The homesickness part? It went away faster than I expected once I got busy with classes and activities.

TejasRaoKar5mo ago

Quick money tip: open a student account at a bank near campus with no minimum balance. Have your parents transfer pocket money monthly instead of quarterly — it helps you manage without overspending. I usually keep ₹3–4k per month for snacks, laundry, and personal items, which is comfortable. Avoid lending money to friends early on; it gets awkward.

AdithyaMathewKer5mo ago

Thanks everyone for these tips! This really helped calm my nerves. I'm especially grateful for the parent's message and the alumni perspective — it's reassuring to know that homesickness is temporary and that the social bonds will be strong. I'm going to follow the advice on fixed video calls with family and joining clubs right away. See you all on campus soon! 🙏