The Support Systems That Help Students Feel at Home While Living on Campus

In late 2025, as part of a major initiative by the Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force (NTF) on student mental health, a nationwide well-being survey collected responses from over:

• 88 lakh students
• 6 lakh faculty members
• 26 lakh parents
• 16,750 higher education institutions

(New Indian Express)

The large participation across India shows that student well-being is not a small matter.

Moving to a campus can be a major change. A hostel room provides a place to stay, but it does not automatically create a feeling of home. That feeling slowly develops when students have people to guide them, services they can depend on and spaces where they feel accepted.

The first few weeks at Parul University hostel life can be confusing. Students must understand class locations, hostel timings, dining arrangements, campus rules and transport routes. At the same time, they may be trying to make friends and manage homesickness.

A proper orientation system can make this change easier. Campus tours, hostel introductions and simple information about important facilities help students settle without unnecessary worry. Wardens, senior students and support staff can also answer small questions that new residents may hesitate to ask.

These early interactions matter because students feel more relaxed when they know whom to approach. Even knowing where to report a maintenance issue or seek medical assistance can create a sense of security.

A student support system is not limited to one office. Different people can help with different needs:

• Roommates and friends can provide company, share daily experiences and notice when someone is feeling low.
• Hostel wardens can guide students about residential rules, safety and room-related concerns.
• Faculty mentors can help with academic confusion and adjustment to university learning.
• Senior students can explain campus routines, activities and practical ways to manage hostel life.
• Counsellors or trained professionals can support students facing continued stress, anxiety or emotional difficulty.

Friends are important, but they cannot solve every problem. Students should be encouraged to seek trained help when emotional pressure begins affecting sleep, appetite, studies or daily functioning.

Students and parents both want to know that help is available during an emergency. Security staff, CCTV monitoring, controlled entry systems and proper reporting channels can reduce fear, especially for students living away from home for the first time.

However, safety should not only mean strict rules. Students should be able to report harassment, bullying, ragging or unsafe behaviour without feeling blamed. Clear complaint systems and timely action help build trust.

Healthcare access is equally important. A fever, sports injury or sudden health problem can feel more frightening when family members are far away. On-campus medical support or quick access to healthcare can prevent small issues from becoming serious.

Students should also know emergency contact numbers and basic procedures. A service is useful only when residents know how to reach it.

Food is strongly connected with comfort. Students coming from different regions may take time to adjust to new tastes and meal schedules. Clean dining areas, regular meals and some variety can make the shift easier.

Daily services also reduce avoidable pressure during hostel life:

• Regular cleaning helps maintain hygienic shared spaces.
• Laundry support can help students manage a busy academic timetable.
• Reliable Wi-Fi allows access to classes, assignments and family communication.
• Maintenance assistance helps solve problems with lights, water, furniture or rooms.
• Common areas give residents places to relax and talk outside their rooms.

These services may appear basic, but they affect a student’s everyday mood.

Not every friendship begins in a classroom. Many students connect through games, fitness sessions, festivals, clubs and informal campus gatherings.

Sports can help students stay physically active while also giving them a group to belong to. Cultural activities allow students to share their language, traditions and talents. For international and out-of-state students, such events can create opportunities to understand other cultures without losing connection with their own.

Participation should remain a choice. Some students enjoy large events, while others feel comfortable in smaller groups. A welcoming campus therefore needs different activities, including sports, creative clubs, quiet common areas and wellness programmes.

The aim is not to keep students busy all the time. It is to help them find at least one space where they feel comfortable being themselves.

Parul University has a 250-acre green campus with more than 27,000 on-campus residents. Its community also includes over 6,000 international students representing more than 75 countries. This diversity gives students the chance to meet people from different cultural and regional backgrounds.

The campus has more than 15 food courts offering local and international food choices. Such variety can be useful for students who are adjusting to hostel meals or looking for familiar tastes.

Round-the-clock security, CCTV surveillance, medical facilities and student assistance support everyday campus living. Fitness centres, gymnasiums and specialised yoga rooms give students different ways to maintain their well-being.

It may begin with something very small. A security guard recognises a student at the gate. A roommate saves dinner when a class ends late.

A friend knows when someone is missing home. A staff member gives clear help instead of sending the student from one office to another.

Gradually, unfamiliar roads become regular walking routes.

The dining area becomes a meeting place. The hostel room starts collecting books, photographs and shared memories.