The idea of living on your own, away from your parents and annoying younger siblings, was what I fancied when I thought of university. This was during the time I took a gap year, and had enough of being stuck at home with my Pre-medical entry test books. Not being able to secure a place in any public medical university, I was utterly heartbroken. Even after I got into NUST in the first list, the sadness never quite left until I went on a walk alone in the pouring rain to explore the campus on my second day here, listening to Mera Bichra Yaar, my go-to-gham-hour song. It was a beautiful night. It was then I realized that this was my home away from home, now.

Back at home, I never truly appreciated all that nature had to offer because, frankly, it was either summer or winter there; the two extremes. But here at NUST, you experience the four seasons in all their glory. In October, on your way back to hostel, you pass by these trees, shedding leaves of every shade on the spectrum from green to orange.

There are days when you feel like disconnecting from the world, especially to forget about that quiz from the course you hate the most, or escaping from the assignment, which was due at 05:00 P.M. that day. To help you procrastinate, or just enjoy a view of the entire campus, NUST boasts a 1.5 KM hiking trail. How thoughtful of the administration! It’s the perfect spot for some self-reflection, as well as some fun with you friends when you feel like bunking a class or two.

When you see-off your day-scholar friends at the van parking at 05:00 P.M., and walk back to your hostel, you catch a glimpse of the sky; painted in all colors, changing shades with the blink of your eye, it is a sight to behold.  The true vividness of the reds and pinks cannot be contained in a picture that you take from your hostel window.

Other days, you sit back at C1 canopy with friends to appreciate the setting sun, sipping your NesTea, arguing over whose turn it is to pay for the chaye and fries.

Being a hostelite, your routine and experiences vary greatly to that of the day scholars. I, for one, would never trade my extra sleep hours when the 09:00 A.M. lecture is cancelled for anything. The friends you make in the hostel are, in a way, more than your family, for they are there during your 02:00 A.M. meltdowns, and midnight birthday surprises. The independence you get when you live on your own is empowering in ways; you get a tutorial on “How to Adult”, when you pay your bills and do your own groceries. As clichéd as it sounds, this is my home away from home and I wouldn’t have it any other way, except if I can get my mum’s aloo kay parathay, that’d be great.