Hostel life in Thiagarajar College of Engineering was a very liberating experience for my cousin who is an alumnus of this institute.
You can surf the internet and attend online lectures in the computer centre in the institute. The institute has become an SOP or Single Point of Contract with all the IITs which will help you in achieving online certificates which can be instrumental in getting placements. Placements are above 90% in the institute.
There are some rules in the hostels like the students must return by 9:30 PM. On weekends, students are allowed to roam around Madurai.