For many students in Uganda, hostel life at campuses is an essential part of their college experience. Although it has its own associated benefits, campus living also presents challenges of its own. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of living in an on-campus hostel.
The Highs
Convenience:
You are within walking distance to all your lecture halls, library, and hostel compounds. This saves you a lot of time and transport expenses which would have been used for the same when you are off campus, hence making you to concentrate more on your studies and campus activities.
Community and Networking:
Dormitories provide an awesome environment to meet new people creating friendships that can last a lifetime. The active and cohesive community levers itself in making you adapt to the university life more comfortably as it acts as a support system in times of stress.
Campus involvement:
Easily do any extra curricular activities, group clubs on campus, required events due to living on campus which makes overall experience of being at college far more edifying and brave facing the crucibles of life outside book pages.
Access to Resources:
Living within the halls of residence makes it easier for a student to access amenities such as the library, computer labs and recreational centers than those living off campus and further into the environs. This can prove really useful for you, especially when exams are nearing or you have to work in groups.
The Lows
Limited Privacy:
Sharing a room and living space might not always be easy and may encroach on privacy limits. The absence of privacy can violate sanctity and study habits that necessitates planning and respect for space.
Noise and Distractions:
Due to many students negotiating, playing music etc. some hostels are noisy. This can be a disadvantage in your studies when you are supposed to be concentrating.
Hygiene Issues:
Pooled or shared: these are rooms with shared bathrooms/ kitchens sometimes causing hygiene problems due to different habits of living by the residents that can be a headache if not taken care of.
Inconsistency in standards can be an issue if tenants don’t strictly observe cleanliness at all times.
Rules and Restrictions:
Hostels have many rules which are made to keep the environment disciplined and ensure the safety of its occupants. This, however, takes our freedom away in many ways compared to living off-campus.
Living in an on-campus dorm offers a good balance of convenience, support, and proximity to resources. That’s usually worth putting up with the few inconveniences. Be vigilant of the challenges you could face like lack of privacy and noise as we earlier mentioned. It might be a rough road, but by understanding and preparing for these blindsides, you can actually make the most of your hostel experience to have a better shot at getting through college butt hurt.
You would have put the prices too!!
Prices range from UGX 800,000 to UGX 2,000,000 depending on which campus you are on!