Student here, but working at Holiday Inn.
It took us about a week to settle down.
Compared to my own country, yes...you can see people throwing things everywhere, split, honking the cars even though there are no cars in front of them...but the people here are nice, they help us to integrate to their environment. Do you have roommate or anything? talk to them and ask them bring you around. There is walmart and careefour (I prefer the careefoure at Guo Kou shopping Centre).
If you not used to the student hostel, maybe you could start looking around for a room or an apartment outside. I think the people in this forum will provide you with great information. After all I am only less than a month.
Each country, city, environment is different. Enjoy the unique experience you going to have.