Lifestyle Perception Among Hostellers and Day Scholars - A Survey

Introduction: Lifestyle refers to the interests, behaviours, and habits of individuals or groups. It encompasses one’s overall way of living. Both hostellers and day scholars experience college life differently, each with unique advantages and challenges. Interestingly, studies suggest that day scholars, despite commuting long distances, often maintain higher attendance rates than hostellers living on campus. They also tend to have better health due to home-cooked meals and parental care. In contrast, many hostellers adopt irregular sleep patterns by staying up late, which can affect their overall health. Students living close to the campus, including hostellers, often return to their rooms for lunch and rest. However, literature lacks studies that specifically compare lifestyle differences between these two groups. This study aimed to assess lifestyle perceptions among day scholars and hostellers. Materials and methods: A structured questionnaire comprising 12 self-designed questions was distributed via Google Forms to 100 undergraduate dental students. Responses were compiled in Microsoft Excel and analysed using IBM SPSS v.23. Descriptive statistics were used, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Of the 100 participants, 37% were males and 63% females. A statistically significant difference was observed between hostellers and day scholars in their waking time on weekdays. Most day scholars (28 participants) reported not skipping breakfast. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding bedtime or breakfast skipping. Conclusion: Day scholars demonstrated a comparatively healthier lifestyle. However, findings should be interpreted cautiously due to study limitations. Broader studies are recommended for more conclusive insights.