SRM University is notoriously famous for its exorbitantly priced hostels. Some of them are sub par normal living conditions.
In a typical hostel room, each student is provided with a wooden/steel cot, a cupboard, a study table and a chair. Beyond which, everything else is to be borne by oneself. As a fresher, you will have to carry the following items along with you.
- Clothes – SRM does not have any kind of dress code expect a rule that one must not wear round neck tee shirts to classes. Apart from that, any thing is fine. Chennai has a reputation for having a very humid climate. Try to avoid bringing any kind of sweaters or any woolen items. During the holiday visits back home ( during dussehra), you can bring them along with you. Do bring some sports wear, in case you do play. SRM has full fledged tennis, badminton, football, cricket grounds and a gym too.
- Basic toiletries – Tooth brush, toothpaste, soap, soap box ( mandatory), trimmer, shaving kit etc.
- Shoes – one pair of formal shoes, sport shoes, casuals, bathroom slippers. All of them are a must.
- Laptop : There isn’t any need for a student to bring a laptop to college in the first semester itself. All the subjects taught are just gonna be an extension of the basics taught in your 11th and 12th. If anyone tells you that a laptop is mandatory in first year, they’re faking. Spend more time with your new friends. The relationships you make in the first year will last for 4 years. That’s more important than watching some TV show or a movie on your laptop. Explore the city during weekends. Do something physical when you have the opportunity. Besides, it’s more fun to watch any thing along with a bunch of guys than watch it alone.
- Mobile Phone : I don’t need to stress on this I guess. But I wanna mention a point. SRM Hostels have a history of robbery. I have known people who have lost costly laptops and phones, especially in the first year. I’ve been a victim myself. From second year on wards, most of them have their own electronic gadgets and they don’t bother about the rest of the people. So, I’d suggest you to bring a simple mobile phone for the initial months of your stay here. You might come across lots of students using the latest smartphones and gadgets. Try not to enamored by them. Trust me, life is gonna be much simpler and better this way.
- Other electronic appliances: Lot of people do bring a variety of appliances such as electric kettles, iron boxes, induction stoves etc. SRM does collect a substantial amount of money towards laundry services, so that eliminates the need for an iron box. Some students do cook maggi in electric kettles. Bring it at your own risk. The hostel wardens and supervisors do conduct surprise checks or might notice it when they walk past your rooms. In such cases, they’d seize it. In case you do bring one, do hide it carefully when not in use.