How to Make Sure Your Child’s PG in Ahmedabad Is Truly Safe

There is a mix of pride, joy and a quiet lump in the throat when you see your kid leaving home for college. It's their time to chase their dreams, meeting new people and learning how to be their own. And once you're back home, you're hoping they'll remember to eat rightly, get enough sleep, study properly and text you once in a while.

But there is one concern that never leaves you. That is their safety. Ahmedabad is a great city which is full of energy. Lots of students coming from outside the place to make their future here. You can find a lot of PG near GLS University and all of them are getting popular day by day. However, when you are selecting the PG for your kid, there are certain factors that you need to keep in mind.

While you need to choose a hostel near JLS University, there are situations when you might not get one very close by to the campus. That is when you have to look for a PG which is a bit distant from their university or college campus. As a parent, here are the following points that you should not compromise on while choosing the right PG -

Safety first

Safety is not a feature but a foundation. You always need to start from here while selecting the right PG. Any PG for students should have proper security measures. And this just does not mean a lock on the door, but a full tap security with trained guards, CCTV camera in common areas, monitored entry as well as exit points and smart access systems like biometric entry or key cards so that there is proper tracking of who's coming and going. While you are keeping your kid in a PG, make sure that you walk around the building and notice how the people enter, whether or not the security guards are checking the camera, how the gates are manned or not. This kind of small things matter more than the glossy ads.

Dig deeper while choosing the PG

If you are selecting a place for your kid online, do not just go by the nice photo available because it's very easy to fake. A nice copy ad is also easy to write, but to create the right safety and comfort, that is a harder concern. Do not decide based on what you see digitally. You must ask for a real time testimonial. If possible, join the student forums or talk to the seniors and get real reviews which speaks about the entire system of the PGA. Reputation is very important.

Location is more than a convenience; it's safety

Where the PG is located says a lot about the lifestyle and the future that your child will have. It's better to choose areas where other students are also residing in majority so there will be busy streets, late night cafes, good lighting and nice transport. Your child should not have to walk alone down an empty road after a group project or a late night class.

It's all the more better if it's near to the colleges, the libraries, gyms, clinics, grocery stores, etc. If you have any familiar person staying nearby the PG, that is a very good thing. Foot traffic and active neighborhood means fewer risks.

Comfort in today's time is more than luxury

Since your kid is going to stay out of their home for the first time, it should be at least a comfortable place. They will be studying, eating, resting. There might be chances when they get homesick. So, the PG has to support all of that. It needs to feel like a second home. Having healthy meals are non negotiable. It's not good to have fast food every day. Actual home cooked food which is served fresh is very important.

There should be a strong Internet connection because they have to stay connected to classes and family. The normal laundry and cleaning services are not about pampering, but about keeping them in a clear mind in a clean space. Students often might forget to eat, skip the chores and get overwhelmed. If all these utilities are there in a seamless manner, they will be taking care of their everyday work easily.

Ask the right questions

Every PG has its own rules. And that's a good thing. But when you are admitting your kid in a PG, you should ask about what are the basic house rules. Ask whether the students can have guests. What is the policy if someone gets sick? Can students step out after a certain time with permission? Overly strict PGs might not be the best idea and on the other hand one which are too relaxed should not be entertained as well. You know your child best, so you need to find a place that gives the right amount of structure without suppressing their independence too much. This kind of clarity makes life easier for everyone involved.

Keep the lines open

Make sure that you speak to your kid, if not daily, but at least frequently - and preferably in video chat. Don't wait for them to say something is wrong. If you're speaking regularly, you'll understand if there's any change in their tone or mood. Trust those intuitions and take a step accordingly. It could be about food, about roommate, or even about loneliness. You are the parent and guardian. You will be able to fix them easily.

Visit the place on your own

If it's possible, try and visit the PG and its neighborhood on your own before actually admitting the kid. Or even if you're going during admission, make sure that you take a walk down the hallway, meet the people around and sit in the common room, talk to rest of the resident students, notice how the corners are clean, or if the entryways are properly locked, etc.

Take college suggestions seriously

There are some colleges that have their own listed PGS. If not, they might give you some suggestions where to find the right ones. You can take their suggestions seriously because those responses are out of experience. When a college vouches for a PG, it's worth considering.

Letting go of your kid doesn't mean backing off, it means that your kid is now ready to move on. But make sure that they know how to be street smart and stay connected. And most importantly, you do your part before sending them away - pick the right PG so that it helps them in learning, growing and becoming their best self eventually.