Tips for Outstation Students

You dedicatedly went for your classes, studied hard, gave the NPAT, and finally made it through to the lucky few chosen to attend NMIMS Mumbai. You’re just about to leave your hometown and embark on a new journey in your life!

Life in Mumbai as an outstation student can be a bit overwhelming. With so many things happening and the constant hustle and bustle in the city that never sleeps, you may find yourself to be lost and your senses to be saturated.

So before you embark on this journey, here as some tips for you to get acclimatized with the workings of NMIMS Mumbai as an outstation student:

Manage Your Finances Well:

So you’re (finally) away from your family and have some level of independence when it comes to what you spend on. Don’t get too excited though; whether you get an allowance from your parents or are working part time to make some extra cash, it always seems less in Mumbai!

Estimate your monthly expenses in your hometown, and add 30% on top of it. Stick to this budget and you should be good to go! Remember to stick to public transportation like trains, especially if you live a bit far away from college; rickshaw and kaali-peeli fares can add up a lot!

Rental accommodation will burn the biggest hole in your pocket, with real estate pricing in Mumbai being the 2nd highest in the world, according to this article by Forbes. So try to find an accommodation early enough so you don’t get pressured into saying yes to the last available option.

Eat healthy:

Yes, Mumbai’s Vada Pav is to die for; in fact the stall right opposite our college has one of the best Vada Pavs and frankies you’ll ever have! it’s cheap and gets the job done for a quick snack during your break. But don’t be dependent on it every day; the calories will add up and you’ll be packing some pounds in a matter of no time!

We recommend eating out once or twice a week and making your own food for the remaining meals. Try some kind of meal prep system where you make the base of the food twice a week so you only have to worry about garnishing before the actual meal. This will help save time and be more efficient when it comes to your. You can also hire a common cook for you and your flat mates so that homemade and healthy food is ensured!

Be Disciplined:

I don’t want to be a buzzkill and act like your mom but this has to be said- stay focused! The new freedom and independence is amazing but make sure you use it responsibly! This doesn’t mean you need to be a bore and sit in your room studying all day- go out, have some late nights, explore what the city has to offer, but do everything with a balance.

Remember that your main purpose is to study and to get a degree with good marks- this all leads to a brighter future for you. Don’t slack off now that your parents aren’t around and you can stay up all night. Creating good habits and staying disciplined is key to being a well-rounded individual.

Have good companionship:

You have come to this city without knowing anyone, but you don’t want to leave the same way! College years are all about making friends and memories, so put yourself out there and make it a habit to talk to people even about the smallest things.

Make use of the first few weeks where everyone is still new and hasn’t found their tribe yet; they’ll be more open and willing to talk to you. Join the various clubs that interest you and I’m sure you’ll find like-minded individuals that you can vibe with!

Remember that everyone else is as new as you, so they are also going to be anxious to talk to others. If you make the first move, it shows confidence and takes the pressure of the other person, creating a strong first impression for you!

Accommodation:

Like I said before, try finding your accommodation beforehand so you have a variety of options to choose from and aren’t pressurized into selecting a not-so-great last choice!

For your first year, I recommend staying in a dorm or as a paying guest along with other outstation students! This will help you save money and make some friends along the way! For your second and third year, you can rent an apartment with these friends that you made in the first year, ensuring you have some more independence and that you can (finally) host parties when you wish to do so!

If possible, try staying as close to college as possible. It’s easy to wake up on time in your first year when college starts at noon, but you definitely won’t be as excited second year onwards when it starts at 7:30 am. Find a place nearby so you can sleep for those precious extra minutes every day!

So that's it for the tips you need as an outstation student. Here's an infographic that summarizes it all!