Loneliness brings a variety of emotional responses. The mere thoughts of being deprived of the company of your family and friends can lead to depression and other conditions.
When you lie down and look at the concrete ceiling in the nights, you will tend to feel barmy. The comforts of a big bed, a thick mattress, and an air-conditioner cannot be found in such residential colleges.
In a new environment, sleep will not come easy, especially for the first few days, after which you will accept the fact that you have little choice – you have to grit your teeth and complete the course.
No longer will be there anyone to sing you lullabies to make you fall sleep or light music to ease your day. The only sounds you may hear will be those of the crickets or civet cats in their domain – the wooded area nearby.
Of course, there have been instances in the past when certain residents claimed to be ill and asked to be sent away to the nearby hospital to recuperate.
But the public and marauding eyes of many a nosy parker and inquisitive journalists will view, consider, and label you a malingerer – trying to avoid the stay-in.
Unlike other collegemates who stay in cramped rooms and sleep on the floor, the bursar may be kind to you, knowing your past records.
The days of a water-bed for personal use ended many years ago and don’t even dream of it. That incident led to the restructuring of the college set-up and a few heads rolled.
Normally, all residents are housed in dormitory-like rows sans the beds, but as a freshie and a VIP and the son of a VIP, surely, they will afford you some leeway.
Unlike other collegemates, VIP residents are usually offered a place in the library or the hospital where you can either offer some sympathy of advice to sick residents or bury your head in the many books.
At least two people studied law under these restrictive conditions – an achievement that many can’t boast about.
Regimented life, uniforms to wear
But wait. The college administrators have announced that every resident will be treated the same. There will be no preferential treatment or leniency.
Your life is regimented with specific times for meals, exercises, or other activities.
Unlike many others who there for short courses, you have enrolled in a long, long course which may stretch to 12 years and still be unable to graduate as you have also registered for three or more, the duration of which has yet to be decided.
Yes, all collegians are expected to wear uniforms – usually white and the colour of the collar will indicate your status – usually the period you have completed each stage of the course.
Some get to wear all-blue which indicates that you have studied enough to be a de facto administrator or assistant to the bursar or the governor.
In the case of VIPs, some leeway will be made and like those awaiting to be admitted, be allowed to wear what you choose.
But when it comes to food, there is little choice. You will have to eat what everybody eats. There is no menu to choose your favourites and you are expected to eat the same food.
If you find it bland and tasteless, it would be, especially when there is mass cooking meant for community feeding.
But if it is any consolation, when your loved ones make their periodic visits, they’ll be able to buy some foodstuff from the college canteen which are more palatable and nutritious.
They can also pay and credit to your account for your night-cap -- chocolate drinks instead of the usual kopi-o kosong.
If it is any consolation, every such college in the country advances the same principle – residents are not here as punishment but for rehabilitation.
But look at the brighter side – for every course in the college, there are recompenses. The course may be shortened by at least a third for your conduct, behaviour, and other antecedents.
From time to time, the college will make assessments and if you are lucky, you may “graduate” in 2030. And that’s a long, long way away.
R NADESWARAN knows these insights because he served as a volunteer in a similar establishment in the ‘80s. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT
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