Is freedom propelling them to a more productive world or are they just being carried away?

Some students were seen busy adorning a gate for a birthday anniversary, while this correspondent approached them at Shahnewaz Bhaban, extension of Muhsin Hall for Fine Arts students.

Busy with fixing glues on foam and sticks they told about their lifestyle, career, hobbies and philosophy about life, sex and friendship.

"Obviously it is true that we are enjoying more freedom at the university that was not possible by living with parents," said Palash, a second year student of Fine Arts Institute.

He said that this freedom extends the sphere of their work and make them confident and self-reliant.

"After I left my family gradually I found out my inner self that was suppressed earlier," said Tuhin, a third year student of Drawing and Painting.

"I dreamt to be a great artist and in the very beginning of my hall life I was moved to think that great artists like Rafiqun Nabi and Shishir Bhattyacharia stayed in this hall. But our dreams change due to social and economical pressure," he said.

Liton, a second year student of Crafts, said that it would not have been possible for him to draw nude figures while living with his family because it would hurt their values.

"Even they would not let me go out at midnight, whatever the reason is. Parents do it out of their caring attitude towards us," he said.

Liton became puzzled when he first came to the hall where every room was crammed with clothes, drawing and painting paraphernalia and books piled up in a corner.

While talking about friendship with girls the students said that if a healthy relationship builds among boys and girls then teasing and curiosity would decrease.

Admitting the trend of free sex they said that many of their friends go to brothels and media has a role in it.

The students can share their problems and thoughts with their teachers who are deemed as idols.

"They could help us in many ways if they had been friendly with us. But at present the teacher-student relationship is in such a state that their being indifferent is far better," said one student seeking anonymity

He was busy with his commercial art work like most fine arts students to support their studies.

Most said that they have not read any book except text books in the last few months. It clearly indicates a declining tendency of reading habit among the young generation even though they are smart, practical and workaholics.

The situation at the female dormitory is totally different as most said that they love their hall lives because they have more friends here.

Chances of doing a challenging job are also less for them as they have to return to the hall by 9:30 at night.

"As the boys can stay outside late they can work more. Being a student of the department of Drama and Music, I find it difficult to do well in my examinations because night is the best time to practice 'light fixing'. My male friends do better than us in the exam because they can practice it," said Farah, a second year student at of Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Hall.

"I have learnt cooking after coming to hall," said Shoma with her chanting voice while cutting vegetables.

Surovi was sewing colourful flowers in a shawl sitting on her bed.

"The evening is the most beautiful, at that time we sit in front of the dormitory and have a nice chat," she said.

But what are the topics of their chats? No, they do not like politics, economy or philosophy that much.

"To be frank, most of the time we talk about our loneliness, love affairs, boy friends, shopping and other light issues," said Marufa, an Honours fourth year student.

"We really enjoy life, as we are not under the custody of our parents and can take decisions on our own. There are issues that we can never share with our parents because they would react or might feel scandalised," she said.

But Sara, a first year student of Drama is not interested about silly issues like boy friends, mobile friends or shopping. Rather she finds it boring and thinks university students should think in a different way.

Boys are restricted to enter the female dormitories. However, they have no complaint against this. But they objected on their returning to the hall at 9:30pm while the gates of the boys' dormitories remain open all night.

Sharmin Haque, Associate Professor, Institute of Education and Research (IER) and house tutor of the dormitory said that the students usually live under strong protection of their parents so when they suddenly get the taste of independence many cannot handle the responsibilities properly.

"Sometimes they may take wrong decisions because there is nobody to suggest," she added.

"The problem lies in our culture. Parents are not much friendly with their wards and do not share much. For this reason when the girls come to the dormitory, they cannot understand first with whom to make friendship," she said.