I still remember the first day I stepped into my boys hostel in Dehradun. My suitcase was heavier than it looked, and so was my heart. Excited? Definitely. Nervous? More than I let on. The corridor buzzed with unfamiliar faces, laughter, loud music from someone’s room, and the smell of instant noodles wafting from the common area. This was going to be my new home.
Hostel life is often painted as an adventure — and truthfully, it is. But no one tells you about the chaos that comes with it. The late-night gossip, surprise room checks, cramped shared bathrooms, the emotional rollercoaster of homesickness, peer pressure, and of course, the ever-changing dynamics of roommate relationships.
In a city like Dehradun, where students and working professionals from all over the country flock for education and jobs, hostels are more than just buildings. They become chapters of your personal story. Whether you’re a girl living in a girls hostel in Dehradun, or a boy settling into the best boys hostel in Dehradun, one thing is common — you need to find ways to protect your peace.
Here’s how I (and many others) learned to do just that.
1. Create a Personal Sanctuary — Even in Shared Spaces
Your hostel room might not be the most spacious or private, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own. I remember pinning up postcards and hanging a small string of fairy lights around my bed. It was my tiny bubble in a noisy world.
Whether you’re staying in a girls PG in Dehradun with four other roommates, or bunking in a boys hostel in Dehradun, personalize your corner. Your bedsheet, a favorite book, a journal, or even a houseplant can act as emotional anchors that remind you of who you are beyond the chaos around you.
2. Learn the Art of Saying “No”
One of the hardest lessons in hostel life? Boundaries.
In my first semester, I joined every group hangout, helped people with their assignments, and gave away my Maggi stock more times than I should admit. I thought I was being helpful. But I was exhausted.
When you live in a communal space like a girls hostel in Dehradun, social pressure can sneak in without warning. It’s okay to say “no” to plans, to turn off your phone, or even ask your roommate for some quiet time. Protecting your peace means being okay with not pleasing everyone.
3. Find “Your People”
This part takes time, but it’s magical when it happens.
I found my tribe one rainy evening in the hostel mess over a conversation about the worst college assignments. Two girls from the girls PG in Dehradun next door and a guy from the best boys hostel in Dehradun sat with me for hours, laughing like we had known each other forever.
Finding your people means finding those who energize you, respect your space, and support your goals. They become your safety net when hostel life feels too much to handle.
4. Protect Your Mental Health Like It’s a Treasure
There were days when I didn’t want to get out of bed. The crowd, the noise, the academic pressure — it all felt too much. That’s when I started journaling. Just a few lines a day. Then came yoga. Then evening walks alone.
Mental peace isn’t a luxury in hostel life — it’s a necessity. Whether you’re in the best boys hostel in Dehradun or a girls hostel in Dehradun, make time for things that calm your mind. Even if it’s just ten quiet minutes with music in your headphones, take it.
5. Escape the Four Walls — Often
Dehradun is a beautiful city, and sometimes the best way to regain your calm is to step out. A solo coffee in a local café. A walk near the Robber’s Cave. A day trip to Mussoorie. I can’t count how many times escaping the hostel helped me return to it with a lighter heart.
Don’t wait for weekends or special occasions. Let the city heal you when the hostel overwhelms you.
6. Remember Why You’re Here
In the middle of the chaos, late-night drama, and midnight giggles, don’t forget why you came. For education. For growth. For a better future.
The boys hostels in Dehradun and girls PGs in Dehradun house dreamers, just like you. And while it’s easy to get distracted, anchoring yourself to your “why” can help you navigate the ups and downs.
Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Not Love Every Moment
Hostel life will give you some of the best stories you’ll tell someday. But it’s also okay if it overwhelms you now and then. That doesn’t make you weak — it makes you human.
Protecting your peace isn’t about isolating yourself. It’s about creating small pockets of joy, calm, and purpose in the midst of noise. Whether you’re living in a girls PG in Dehradun or the best boys hostel in Dehradun, just remember — this phase, like everything else, will pass. Make it count.
And when in doubt, make some Maggi. That always helps.