“I've learned one thing, and that's to quit worrying about stupid things. You have four years to be irresponsible here, relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember the time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So stay out late. Go out with your friends on a Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does...”―
My college offered me a plethora of opportunities that were nothing short of wonderful; which leads me to my unusual life lessons :
1. College is 20% studies, and 80% everything else.
Some people go to college and become even bigger idiots because they think it's great to have a degree.
But going to college has NOTHING to do with the degree. We are all in the same boat: We all study the same subjects. These classroom subjects do not define who you are or what you become unless you understand how these apply in real life.
So for me, this '80% outside the classroom' spiraled around college societies, events, internships, and friendships. Thanks to my active participation in college societies and events I was fortunate enough to gain immense exposure and interact with the brightest minds of my college.
2. Learning should be FUN
Luckily I have had a lot of enthusiastic professors. Who made me learn an important lesson: Learning is not boring. People are.
College would not be dull as long as the teachers are enthusiastic about what they're doing.
One of my teachers actually used to give us an option to not attend the class; She asked us to attend only if we were interested in the subject, and not care about the attendance. This was such a relaxing and fun environment for our class. I never get it when the teachers believe they are the police. Teachers are supposed to teach not police.
3. Experience is never a waste of time or money
I wrote another blog on this, at the end of my first year; you may check this as well. (Experience - a freshers diary)
People often regret choosing the wrong degree, not getting into the college of their dreams, or sometimes you feel you've wasted your education time and money that you haven't pursued a career in. But how else do you expect to know yourself? Everything in life that you do is an experiment.
If some things do not work out, just try 146 other things. As long as you don’t give up it’s all good. Always remember-
Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted.
4. People you spend time with will shape your journey
You are a sum total of five people you spend the most time with.
Trust your vibes when it comes to people, find a few friends you can hang out with and who will have your back when it is required. One thing you’ll learn is that, in a way, we’re all the same — and yet, we’re so different.
My friends were the reason I can look back at some great memories; one of which, and trust me the most important one is sitting together and doing nothing. You don't get that in life once you graduate.
Though realistically friends might or might not stick after college, all you can do is enjoy it all; while you have that.
5. Finishing something Is HARD, it is all about the journey
In college, you learn that finishing something is hard—it takes real blood, sweat, and tears.
But you know what?
Once you finish something that you started, you’ll be proud of yourself.
Everyone who knows me knows exactly what I am going to talk about, Ya ya talking about TEDx again. But it did take me everything to make my passion for something come into action, and turning the page was difficult. (If you know, you know)
"I believe, when you enter college, you leave behind your entire personality back in school. It's a fresh start. A new page. A new leaf. And you are the sole author. Yes, at times it may feel things aren't falling in place, you're losing your grip, but just hold on tight. To quote Tracy McMillan, Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out yet, then it's not the end." - Jyotbir
Special Mentions:
1. I joined Invictus (The film and Photography Society) where I learned that societies are not about CV points, but a social circle beyond the classroom. Some people here were, and always will be close to my heart; starting from the first person I met- Milan to the coolest person I know- Muskaan.
2. ASBEMS was also a three-year-long journey for me, where I got the opportunity to represent the department as President. This team every year taught me what Unity meant. We stood for our department and each other, laughing and enjoying till the very last. Special thanks to Dhruv(best), Samyak, Navneet, Shaurya, Deshna, Shreyans, and Shivam for all the memories.
3. I do intend to write a separate post for TEDx, that is why I am not writing so many details here. The life lesson from TEDx was having friends by your side; they will understand you and have your back every time. And “You can’t jump straight to the end, the journey is the best part.”
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