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But, then again, life in a dorm is not necessarily all that bad

Tazmia Islam Nion

When we hear about dormitory or hall life a mixture of feelings comes to our mind. But most of us actually don't have any idea about the true scenario.

Dormitory life is completely different from our family life. This life is the assortment of some sweet and sour experiences. When got admitted in the university, accommodation was a big issue, especially for the outsiders. The general view about the hall life is negative when the picture comes to mind we thought we are going to be treated like schoolchildren in tight rules and regulations. The person having no experience of staying at dormitory can never imagine how it helps in future to adjust with others and develop a sacrificing mind, and to be self sufficient.

We tried to gather some idea of dormitory life of Dhaka University by talking with some students living in different dormitories.

Ruzmila Haque is studying BBA and staying in the Begum Rokeya Hall for last three years. It was really tough for her to stay and adjust with different kind of people and also to maintain the rules and regulations. “But now I feel I am the most fortunate girl to have experiences like staying away from home. I am sharing a room with four lovely roommates. It really needs cooperation and sacrifice from both sides to adjust,” commented Ruzmila.

The girls generally cook food on their own. It's a different experience. Girls make all necessary arrangements for cooking including required shopping. They share the same electric heater. So it needs a sacrificing mentality to cope up with the situation. Sayeeda, a resident of Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall says, “The specialty of hall life is to finish dinner and have a walk in the field, as the environment is so different that we never feel lonely, depressed or helpless as the house tutor always treat us with much care.”

Farzana Flora feels that her hall is the best. She is quite satisfied with the food supply of the Shamsunnahar Hall. The environment is nice, neat and clean. Hall provides sufficient facilities for entertainment. “If you are sick than you will find all the roommates taking care of you”- Dilara quoted, a resident of Kuwait-Moitri Hall. But the restriction imposed by the provost is sometimes annoying for the girls. Students are not allowed to stay outside after 9.30 at night. If a student wants to go home permission is not required but they just have to make the entry of the time and date of leaving for home. Hall authorities impose some restrictions over the coming of relatives. The students demanded this rule to be changed.

The birthday party is the most wonderful event in any Hall. Every student highly spoke about the celebration of birthday. Sharmin a student of 4th year attached with Shamsunnahar Hall was expressing it in this way: 'It is found that sometimes you may forget your birthday but your room mates never do the mistake. While you are in deep sleep, suddenly you will find yourself awakened by the sound of your friend's warm birthday wishes.'

We found that residential students of Begum Rokeya, Shamsunnahar, Bangladesh-Kuwait Moitri and Fazilatunnesa Mujib Halls are engaged in part-time jobs and some are having their own boutique businesses, which they are running successfully. The accommodation condition at four female student halls is terrible these days. Every dormitory holds almost double the number of students beyond its normal capacity. Freshers are the worst sufferers; they even have to share a single bed with three or four students while seniors are enjoying more facilities having their own bed.

Violating hall rules and regulations student leaders in league with hall authorities have created refugee-camp like 'gono' rooms to accommodate First Year students for political interests.

Hundreds of non-resident students are staying at the makeshift 'gono' rooms at different halls of DU. Amjad, a Second Year student said, "I have been staying in the balcony of this room for about one year and a half experiencing both scorching summer weather and bitter winter. Amjad's balcony-mate Sarifuzzaman said, "I often spend most of the night sitting on my wrapped up 'cushion' to save my belongings from the rain."

But, then again, life in a dorm is not necessarily all that bad it is pretty much a learning experience as well. Although living away from family, a new family of friends with strong bonding is created here.