‘College life.’ Think about it. Listen to the word. What comes to your mind? Freedom? Socializing? Well, that’s all I can think of. I’m sure others can think of more things.
I used to live carefree and aimlessly. I would say that there was no trace of any aim to be found in my mind. The ones that did exist did so with a twist. They had nothing to do with what I felt deep inside my heart. There was no end to the classic confusions and conflicts that came in my mind such as career, future, respect etc, and they drove me insane at times. I was scared out of my wits when I came to Amity University, Noida. Leaving my hometown of Patna and going there, replacing my good food and AC room for a shared non-AC room with guys who aren’t even of my course, let alone my personality, was hard. It took me a while to accept where I was. Loneliness didn’t help with that. But yeah, I was in college. That’s what mattered. It’s supposed to be a very chill place. And my parents used to warn me that there might be smoking and drinking and ragging and degradation, and I should be careful. So I got ready for Hell itself, but it turned out I was wrong. Because nothing that bad was happening here. After all, who has time to chill and misbehave when all are trying to keep their attendance clear in classes going from 9 to 4? Sure, people find ways, but even my parents and grandparents were shocked by this. Because they actually had it easy during their college days. They got time to go home early, play, study, etc. So, well, all that time in classes made me reflect on my decisions.
A little background info—Being a Humanities student, I’ve turned my back on medicine, engineering, and law, the three professions that generations of families have either followed devotedly or praised as hell. So, I was either being very bold or very dumb. I remember my 11th and 12th years when I had chosen Humanities. I was one of 5 boys in a class filled with girls. So, yeah, instant social attack on me regarding both my intelligence and Manhood. But the science guys there were callous and arrogant jerks, and I genuinely couldn’t study subject because of them and because I didn’t want to either (though biology was always interesting ). So, after much struggle, I managed to get Arts and was better off. I learn basic science anytime I get the chance. Remember that the world hasn’t become this complex because of everyone choosing the same 6-7 professions that most people know. Everything has value. We need to find it. Do your own research. If you’re good at something, be great at it. Also, don’t do it for free. (RIP Heath Ledger)
Now, at Amity, I could say that I have actually started to live now. Everywhere I was before coming here was a protective bubble. A comfort zone. Now, even though I was in a hostel, I was more active than ever. Coming from a well-to-do family, we had many privileges that I got tired of. It was about time that I became self-reliant. Although, it is tough living a hostel life. You are restricted to everything outside. An outpass is the price of going out in the world and coming back by 7-8 pm. I’ve been there for almost two years straight. Now, the basic food always tasted and felt basic. But I could, however, leave for class comfortably. So, that’s a plus point. A hostel is something people should experience once. But, nothing beats living on your own terms. Sure, things are more hectic, but that’s what you need. Challenges and action. Heroes haven’t become heroes by staying at home. They went on journeys and fought wars. That’s what anyone should do. Metaphorically on the ‘war’ part. Studies are a major pain in the neck. Classes and then self study as well. But for me, it was about making it interesting and that worked.
When I started attending classes, I made friends. Many friends. Guys, girls, juniors, seniors, everyone. My best friend, Aditya, is also interested in writing. When I met him, he was reading a book about gangsters, which I found interesting for some reason. So, I found ‘my people’ here. People I could talk to or relate with. People who understand me. I have made many great friends. No girlfriend though. But that is a topic worth of a quite longer discussion. “To each his/her own” is what I believe in this circumstance. I hang out with everyone. I’ve hung out with many girls. My classmates are juniors, seniors, and from other departments as well. And it’s great. You meet someone new and learn something as well. Otherwise, there’s a lot of drama among people, which affects the group dynamic. I can’t hang with two people because they have issues with three others. Stuff like that. Really annoying, but people have their own things going on, so I leave it at that. Make friends, but don’t run after people. Ever. I used to find college life weird. Because of Bollywood mainly. It is not as simple as it seemed when we were kids. We have to make it simpler for ourselves. That’s it. Don’t expect college to be like the film ‘Student of the Year’ showed cause that’s what I did, but know that anyone can make it great for themselves if they want.
