Presidency university — main building

Presidency University

How to reach: The campus is a 10-minute walk from Central and MG Road Metro stations. By bus, get off at the College Street stop.

Must-know places

Student section: Reach the first floor of the Main Building and turn right. This will be your go-to place for everything from form fill-ups to rail concessions to fees.

Canteen: The canteen located behind the Main Building is not just a place to eat but an integral part of the Presi experience.

Quadrangle: Located on the ground floor behind the Main Building staircase, the Quadri is one of Presidency’s famous adda zones.

Derozio Hall: The college auditorium, located at the far end of the campus, is where every Presidencian’s journey begins, with the orientation ceremony.

must-know People

Mrinal da: In the student section, Mrinal da can solve ANY official problem — from admit card delays to migration certificates.

Promod da: The man behind the canteen counter is as much a part of the Presidency experience as his canteen.

Pappu da, the gatekeeper, and Hanuman da, a Group D staffer, are not only in charge of security but also great friends with students.

Tummy Grumbles

Promod da’s canteen is everyone’s first choice. There is a Barista Lavazza near the canteen too.

The streetside dosa stall outside the main gate is pocket-friendly.

Coffee House, in the lane opposite the main gate, for coffee, cutlets and adda.

Chineez, a makeshift Chinese eatery, is located outside Hindu Hostel and can be reached from the college through the back gate.

Other nearby hotspots are Paramount, Putiram and Food Station.

Notes and more: A photocopy shop is located on the ground floor of the geology department in the Derozio Building, but Sakshi Xerox on MG Road is more popular. The shops under the overbridge near Sealdah station offer cheap rates for bulk photocopies.

Campus tips

The university offers many scholarships and grants. Ask your department heads, seniors and the student section for details.

A number of independent societies function on campus — debating, quizzing, photography, poetry and more.

St. Xavier’s College

St. Xavier’s College— the green benches

How to reach: The Maidan Metro station is a seven-minute walk from the back gate, the Park Street station a 10-minute walk from the front gate. By bus, hop off at Mullickbazar or Minto Park.

Must-know places

The offices: The B.Com (morning) and BBA office are to your left after entering the main building through the Park Street gate. The Arts & Science office is to the right.

Canteen: On the ground floor of the main building.

Green Benches: Loitering in the corridors between classes is not allowed. So the Green Benches near the back gate is the place to hang out.

Library: On the second floor of the main building.

Auditorium: To the right, just as you enter through the Park Street gate.

Cyber room: On the third floor above the audi. Printouts for Rs 5 a page.

must-know People: Rajan da (morning courses), Ratan da (day courses), Subroto da and Alok da (evening courses) help out students with paperwork and more.

Tummy Grumbles

There is Yummy and Delights at the back gate, Sikkim House near Maidan Metro station and... all of Park Street!

The Cafe Coffee Day not far from the back gate is another adda zone.

notes and more: A new stationery and souvenir shop has opened near the Green Benches, called Fr. Joris Corner. There is a photocopy shop opposite the back gate. Basic stationery is also available at Classic Stores near the back gate. For fancy pens and more, head to Linc Store on Shakespeare Sarani.

Campus tips

Always carry your ID card, you can be stopped at the gate otherwise.

The dress code is very strict. Any kind of writing on tees and tops is prohibited. Shorts, bermudas, pedal-pushers are not allowed, skirts should reach below the knees and shouldn’t have slits. No round-neck tees for boys.

Use of mobile phones within the building, including the canteen, is not permitted. It is only allowed on the field or the Green Benches.

Bhawanipur Education Society College

Aqua Java on Elgin Road

How to reach: A 10-12-minute walk from the Rabindra Sadan Metro station. By bus, it’s a minute away from the Lansdowne-Elgin Road crossing.

Must-know places

Canteen: To the left of the main entrance, on the ground floor.

Library: From the entrance go straight to the other end of the campus and take a left.

Fee counter: From the canteen, take a right to reach the fee counter.

Common room: On the ground floor, beyond the garden.

Sports: The college has a well-organised sports department under Bhaven Sir.

must-know People

Govind Bhai: The canteenwallah advises students on the right person to approach for various problems.

The head librarian: A big help when you are trying to locate books.

Tummy Grumbles

The canteen serves simple fare at student-friendly rates. Uncooked Wai-Wai is a rage.

Sharmas, the Forum food court, Aqua Java, CCD, Ecstasy, Piccadilly Square... are all in the zone. Haldiram’s at the Exide crossing is also a meet-and-eat point.

The chaatwallahs along the main road dish out lip-smacking grub.

Notes and more: The stationery shop opposite the college building is the best bet. Then there’s Crossword next door. You can get photocopies done at a small shop a little distance to the right of the college.

Campus tips: Carry your ID card at all times. Using cellphones is not allowed in most places on campus.

Jadavpur University

Jadavpur University — Central Library

How to reach: Get off at Rabindra Sarobar Metro station, hop into an auto to Jadavpur police station or 8B bus-stand and walk. The campus has five gates, so find out near which gate your department is located. Almost all buses passing through the area stop at 8B bus-stand, or Bengal Lamp (Gate 4).

Must-know places

Aurobindo Bhavan: The administrative building is closest to Gate 2. Collecting your grade card, paying fees or submitting forms, this is the place for all official work.

Information Centre: This little hub located between Gates 2 and 3 offers information on courses and more.

Another Information Centre: Located above AC Canteen, this is the go-to place for info on various college clubs and placements.

Central Library: Walk down from Gate 3, on the right at the first intersection is the Central Library.

Worldview Bookstore: In the lobby of Vivekananda Hall, beside the PG Arts building, this is probably the only on-campus bookstore around.

Hotspots: Jheel paar and the football and basketball grounds (near Engineering Faculty).

Tummy Grumbles

There are six canteens on campus, the most popular being Milan da’s and Moni da’s. Also check out the really cheap roll shop outside Gate 4.

For variety, step out to 8B for Banzara, Bawarchi, Blue Lagoon or Bazeegar (roll centre).

Jadavpur Coffee House: For adda, important discussions or light bites, head to the first floor corner of Jadavpur Market.

Notes and more: Every other building on campus has a little photocopy shop and there are quite a few cheap stationery stores on the premises, like Tarit da’s (UG-Arts) and Bishu da’s (Engineering). There are a number of photocopy and stationery shops in the 8B bus-stand area and on the road leading to Jadavpur station.

Campus tips

JU is a sprawling maze so don’t be daunted if you keep losing your way on campus. Don’t blush about asking for direction even weeks after you start classes.

The digital library is a real boon.

JU houses a number of sports centres, with facilities for cricket, football, basketball and table tennis. Photography, mountaineering and debate clubs add more fun to campus life.

LORETO COLLEGE

Loreto College

How to reach: Maidan Metro station leads you directly to the back gate of the college on Middleton Street. The front gate on Middleton Row is a three-minute walk from Music World (Park Street).

Must-know places

College building: The college shares the campus with Loreto House school. The college building is to the right from the front gate. From the back gate, it’s behind the lawn.

Offices: The principal’s office is on the first floor, to the right and the accounts office is a little further ahead.

Library: On the first floor, to the left.

Canteen: On the ground floor, to the right of the main corridor.

Front porch and side lawns: The front porch outside the college building is an ideal place to sit around before or after class. The side lawn, enclosed by the college building on three sides is a popular hangout on cloudy days and in winter.

Common room: On the second floor, a good indoor place to chill.

Concert hall and auditorium: The concert hall is on the ground floor while the auditorium is on the second floor.

must-know People

Ingrid Ma’am: She sits outside the principal’s cabin and is very helpful.

Dona Ma’am: She sits in the accounts office and issues certificates.

Javed Sir: He sits in the accounts office and handles all fee-related matters.

Tummy Grumbles

The Blue Poppy in the Sikkim House building is almost diagonally opposite the back gate.

Street food outside Vardaan Market and Michael’s Chinese stall opposite the Veneta Cucine store on Camac Street are also popular.

McDonald’s, KFC, and of course, the rest of Park Street.

Amber Café, which has replaced Amber Restaurant near the front gate, promises to be the latest pop pick.

Notes and more: Step out of the front gate and walk towards Park Street, there’s a photocopy shop beside Bistro By The Park. Near the back gate, there’s a shop ahead of Drive Inn restaurant. Danish’s shop outside the front gate sells all necessary stationery items.

Campus tips

Carrying the college identity card is a must.

The use of cellphones inside the college building is prohibited, including in the common room and canteen. But it can be used outside the building, like the front porch or lawns.

The white board on the first floor, outside the library, is the main notice board. Make a habit of checking it out every day when you come in and before you leave.

The yellow staircase is out of bounds for all students, except those in the third year. This staircase can be used by others only to go from the second to the third floor.

Assembly is held at 10am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, usually in the Concert Hall. It is compulsory for all students to attend. Keep an eye on the white board for any change in time or venue.

LADY BRABOURNE COLLEGE

LADY BRABOURNE COLLEGE

How to reach: The Park Circus seven-point crossing, near which the college is located, is well-connected by buses and autos.

Must-know places

Common room: Is on the ground floor of the main building.

Canteen: Behind the auditorium, near the back gate.

Office: Enter the campus, turn right and walk straight. There are two windows. The first is for enquiry, the other for paying fees, getting schedules, etc. (Psst: The office staff are very particular about students going to the right window.)

must-know People

The students’ union members are the most helpful here, say current students. The college general secretary is Chandrima Chowdhury and assistant general secretary is Sreyoshi Chakraborty.

Tummy Grumbles

With a canteen that serves biryani and the likes of Arsalan, Monginis and Zeeshan close by, Lady B is quite a foodie’s paradise!

Phuchka and ice cream vendors are equally popular among students.

Notes and more: There’s a photocopy shop outside the back gate. There is a stationery and bookshop inside the college on the first floor, next to the library, generally known as the “cheap store”. One can place book orders too. There’s also a hostel stationery shop near the back gate.

Campus tip

Don’t use your cellphone in the corridors.

ASUTOSH COLLEGE

ASUTOSH COLLEGE — CANTEEN

How to reach: Jatin Das Park Metro station is a two-minute walk from the college. Closest bus stops are Bhowanipore police station and Hazra More.

know your way around

Office room: On the ground floor near the entrance of the main building.

Library: Walk down the corridor from the college office.

Principal’s room: On the first floor corridor to the right of the main staircase.

Common room: The first room after turning left from the staircase on the first floor.

Canteen and union room: On the third floor/covered roof (It is a little tricky to locate, so ask your seniors for directions).

must-know People

Avijit da: Is the person for any kind of help with official work, especially during exams. He is often found in the bursar’s room.

Jayanta da: The security officer at the principal’s office is the go-to guy for everything, especially during admissions and before exams.

Tummy Grumbles

Ajay da’s food stall is a popular place right outside the JD Park Metro station.

Cafe Coffee Day beside the College Annexe building is a good place to chill.

Khaza, Tufani and Monginis at the Hazra crossing are also popular.

A must-try is the sweetcorn sandwich from the sandwich stall beside the JD Park Metro station.

Notes and more: The Annexe building houses a photocopy shop. There’s another beside Tandoori Darbar off the Hazra crossing. Stationery can be found right in front of the college and at the Annexe building photocopy shop.

campus tips

You won’t be allowed to enter the college without your ID card.

Using mobile phones in college is banned.

SCOTTISH CHURCH COLLEGE

SCOTTISH CHURCH COLLEGE

How to reach: Nearest Metro station is Girish Park. Then take an auto headed for Phoolbagan and ask to be dropped off at the lane leading to the college.

Must-know places: There are two offices, one to the right of the main building and one to the left for student queries, forms and fee submissions.

Tummy grumbles: Foody’s and Blossom’s Roll Centre opposite Hedua Park are the nearest, cheapest and voted the best by students.

notes and more: Cheapuda’r Dokaan located on campus, towards the right of the main gate, stocks everything and at “cheap” rates. There is a photocopy shop inside the main building, after taking a right from the assembly hall. For better rates there’s Mintuda’r Dokaan right outside the main gate.

Campus tips

Carrying the identity card is a must on campus.

Rules are strict when it comes to clothing, which means keep your legs covered.