SHRI SHIKSHAYATAN COLLEGE

How to reach: Rabindra Sadan Metro station is less than a five-minute walk away. The Exide crossing is the nearest bus stop.

Must-know places

Common room: On the top floor, it is an air-conditioned extension that doubles as the game room, gym and student hangout.

Cafeteria: On the second floor, it boasts of a CCD outlet and an in-house menu that changes every day.

Office: On the first floor, open 9am to 5pm.

Library: Located on the first floor, it’s said to have a great collection, especially for PG English and commerce departments.

Swimming pool: Located beside the basketball court below the building that connects the college and school, the swimming pool is the pride and joy of the campus. Classes are held in summer.

Must-know people

Anupam Sir is the go-to person for anything you might need in college and is very student-friendly.

Tummy grumbles

Riddhi Siddhi, a vegetarian eatery, is located on the ground floor of Emami Market, just opposite the college.

There are Kathleen, Ali Baba, Gokul and Haldiram outlets nearby.

Street food options like phuchka, gola, kulfi, sherbet and pav bhaji are available outside the college.

Notes and more

The cheap store to the left of the main gate inside the campus takes care of all your stationery and photocopy needs. There is also a store in the lane to the right of the college when walking towards AC Market.

Campus tips

Cellphones not allowed.

Sleeveless tops, short skirts and capris are a strict no-no.

Carry your ID every day. It’s also your library card.

The swimming club is very active thanks to the indoor pool.

The National Service Scheme (NSS) is another good society to sign up with.

RANI BIRLA GIRLS' COLLEGE

How to reach: Located on Shakespeare Sarani, the nearest bus stop is the Rawdon Street- AJC Bose Road crossing. For autos, get up on those plying the Park Circus-New Market route and get off at the Shakespeare Sarani-AJC Bose Road crossing.

Must-know places:

Offices: Main office and principal’s office are located on the ground floor.

Canteen: On the ground floor, towards the rear end of the main building.

Common room: The main common room is on the ground floor, just as you enter the main building. There’s a smaller common room with a TV, beside the canteen.

Must-know people: Babar bhaiyya — a staffer in the principal’s office is the go-to man.

Tummy grumbles: The pop pick in the canteen is biryani. There’s Cakes, Kookie Jar & CCD nearby.

Notes and more: There’s a photocopy shop next to the flower shop opposite Kookie Jar. Right beside it is Hallmark, for stationery items.

GOKHALE MEMORIAL GIRLS' COLLEGE

How to reach: Take the Metro to Rabindra Sadan station and emerge from the PC Chandra exit to walk to the Harish Mukherjee Road campus. Those coming by bus should get off at the SSKM stop.

Must-know places

Take a right from the gate parallel to the main entrance to reach Office 1 for student queries. Just above this is Office 2, for other administrative work.

The canteen on the ground floor next to the staircase leading to Office 2 is being renovated and may be shifted.

Must-know people

Narayan kaku, in Office 2, is very helpful, especially for office info and paperwork advice.

Tummy grumbles

There’s The Sugarr & Spice restaurant right beside the college and the ever-crowded Balwant Singh’s Eating House offers a range of snacks barely a minute from campus.

The Rabindra Sadan Metro station area is teeming with momo stalls and other eateries.

Notes and more: The exit gate of SSKM (PG Hospital), which is bang opposite the college, houses a photocopy shop. Another one is on Shambhunath Pandit Street, not far from Balwant Singh’s.

Campus tip

Carrying your ID card is a must.

MAULANA AZAD COLLEGE

How to reach: The college is a 15-minute walk from the Esplanade Metro station. Some students take the tram but service is infrequent; those who avail of buses get off at Wellington.

Must-know places

Badminton court: The baddy court is the sporting area-cum-college melting pot. It is located in the central building.

Common room: The Boys’ Common Room is located behind the main building while the Girls’ Common Room is located through the entrance to the right. Indoor games like table tennis and carom make the common rooms popular.

Must-know people:

Ratan da and Ansar ji are the saviours when it comes to official work or documentation.

Tummy grumbles

Canteen: The college houses two canteens. While the one on the ground floor serves meals like rice and curry, the first-floor hub has fast-food like noodles.

Khao Piyo: A Chinese eatery on SN Banerjee Road is a five-minute walk from the college.

Notes and more: The nearest photocopy centre is run by the Society for Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services. The small blue booth to the right of the college gate is ideal for students. There are no dedicated stationery shops as such, but regular items like pens and stapler pins are available outside the college.