Arrival

 
BITS is a quite expensive place to study,and my post is exclusively aimed at optimizing your cost.Do no more calculations,you won't be able to cut it down anymore.

One of the worst aspects of going to college is that you have to leave a world so cozy and comfortable and caring behind and get into an alien land.This is a really bad feeling.But you're also excited to get into that alien world where you'll be getting what you always wanted(independence).So,a mix of emotions always makes you vulnerable to mistakes,and I'll make sure you make none.

So here's a list of the things you'll need to bring from home.
1.First of all,make sure you've got each and every document with multiple copies of each.Read the instructions very carefully.They'll provide you a soft copy of those once you're offered a seat.Believe me,having all the documents in hand saves you from lots of trouble.(Don't forget that anti-ragging shit).

2.Electronics:If you have a laptop computer,fine and good.If not,get a good multimedia cell phone because a majority of academic shit around here flies online(from posting marks to notices,all will be put up online).Laptop wastes time,and thus not recommended for the first semester at least.If you're bringing one,get a long,good quality LAN cable.Here they sell it expensive.

3.Buy a good mattress or have one sewn.They sell them really expensive here and of low quality.Carry some bed-sheets and pillow covers.I absolutely do not recommend buying it from here.(If you're flying,forget this option though I recommend you to travel by train to enjoy some of the amazing routes of the Konkan Railways.The journey is more beautiful than the destination!).

4.Good quality umbrella.At the shopping center,they will sell you dirt for half a million.It rains incessantly in Goa during the monsoons and having a good quality umbrella will save your money for four years.

5.Books:Get your chemistry(particularly O-Chem and thermodynamics),mechanics and calculus notes.Get a box of pens and a half a dozen notebooks(you'll sail through the semester with 6 notebooks).

6.An alarm clock and good quality locks(at least 2).At BITS,mobile phones do not ring loud enough to wake you up.Also,its difficult to find good quality locks at our shopping center.

7.Toiletries can be bought here,tough you can bring them from home,whatever you like.

8.A good quality curtain(1.2m x 1.2m). Make sure that it is not a transparent one. 

9.As soon as you arrive,contact your seniors for books.They'll sell like hot cakes.You'll have to spend around 2000 for them(I found an altruistic senior who sold me his set for 800).

10. If you're planning to apply for a loan,make sure you have all the documents for it.

11.Refrain from bringing irons,induction cookers for the first semester at least(although I am writing this while enjoying a cup of tea made on my induction cooker). The reason is just like homosexuality is punishable under law in our country but the law is seldom enforced,same is the case with such items. 


How to reach BITS?

 For those traveling by air,you'll have no problem.Just book a cab from the airport and a mere 5 min drive is all it takes to reach the campus.You'll have to spend around Rs.250-300 for this.

 For those traveling by train,if you arrive at Madgaon railway station,you'll have to book a cab to BITS for around Rs..700.And guess what,they do not bargain,as it is a pre-paid taxi.So,to save money,I would suggest car-pooling with other people with the same destination(there'll be ample of them).If you arrive at the Vasco Da Gama railway station,you'll have to shell out 250rs. for a 15 min ride to the campus.