One of the most exciting periods of one’s life is college. For students, nothing compares to the exhilaration of starting college. College is an experience that allows us to explore, try new things, and make our own decisions on a larger scale. You look forward to spending your college years on cloud nine, and after you graduate, all you want is to do it all over again. While at college, you learn a great deal, including academics and many life lessons. Money management is one of them. Though college is a great time in our lives, it can also be an expensive investment. Positive financial decisions and personal accounting will help make your life after college more manageable.

Do you really need a Budget?

Balancing a budget is a key asset to develop in life. Although budgeting may appear to take the pleasure out of your life, it is critical to have a strong awareness of your financial situation. How will you handle your finances when you have enormous fat paychecks or are the founder of your own start-up if you can’t manage tiny amounts of money at this age? For those of you who are still having trouble managing your finances in college, here are some suggestions to help you stick within budget.

Have the ‘Talk’

It’s time to talk about it. Before you start creating a budget:

1. Talk to everyone who will be involved in paying for your education.
2. Discuss who will pay and the expected expenses.
3. Take advice from your seniors who can help you with the budget planning, as they have initially gone through the same phase.

Keep track of all your Expenses.

It is for everybody to understand where their money comes from and where it is going. Keeping track of your expenses will assist you in identifying areas where you are overspending and wasting money. You can keep track of your expenses on paper or in Excel. You may also use Money Management Apps to set budgets and keep track of your costs.

Follow the 50/30/20 rule

In reality, the rule is extremely simple. It asks you to divide your in-hand income into three parts. ‘Needs’ receive 50% of the income, ‘wants’ receive 30%, and savings and investing/savings receive 20%. In this way, you’ll have set buckets for everything and operate within the permissible amount for each bucket.

Separate Wants from Needs

All of your costs should be divided into two categories: necessities and luxuries. The necessities must be paid regardless, while the luxury items can be postponed depending on your financial situation.

Proper investment knowledge

Taking soft skills training, such as improving your presentation skills or attending a seminar/conference, are examples of self-investment. These expenditures may not yield immediate results, but they will assist you in obtaining better wage packages and more clients for your own start-up. If you still have money after you’ve spent it on yourself and made all of your investments, don’t let it sit dormant. Start investing it somewhere that will not only provide you with good returns but will also teach you about other investment options. For example: investing in stocks.

Keep track of the amount lent/borrowed from Friends

Keep track of your debts and make sure you have enough money to pay them off. Always keep your pocket money separate from the money you borrowed from friends, as you don’t have to repay your pocket money, but you must return the money borrowed from friends.

Resist Peer Pressure

A lot of spending nowadays is happening because of peer pressure. Most people buy phones, phone accessories, and gaming gear not because they need them but because their buddies do. It is essential for students living on a practical, fixed budget to reject peer pressure, allowing them to save a significant amount of money.

Avail discounts wherever possible

Students spend a significant amount of money on books, stationery, and similar items. This can be readily avoided if students purchase books in bulk. If you buy a lot of books, store owners often give you a discount. Keep track of various online scholarship tests, which provide you with massive discounts on educational courses. Using browser extensions such as Honey recommends coupon codes every time you visit an e-commerce store. Money saved is money earned, so students should take advantage of every opportunity.

Follow Your Budget

Once you have outlined your expenses, the next challenge is sticking to your budget. Make it a habit to review your budget frequently. Regularly reviewing and maintaining your budget can help you stay on top of things and avoid getting caught off guard by something unexpected. Allow yourself to forgive minor expenditure errors and get back on track. The majority of people overspend because they make impulse purchases. Sticking to your college budget may assist you in this endeavour. Keep looking for ways to save money regularly to assist you in achieving your ultimate goals.

If you are reading this, I would like to tell you that college life is the best life for all the students where they can do whatever they want.
Till you were in school, your parents used to keep their eyes on you but when you enter college, there are so many changes. Parents also start giving freedom to their children so that they can
learn how to live life. College life is an exciting experience, but there are loads of challenges and choices to make when you first start.

Hostel life
The first challenge is leaving our home and shifting to the hostel. The most important thing is to adjust with our roommates who eventually become our family there. If they are a blessing of God to you, then your survival in the hostel will be wonderful and exciting but if they are rude, then it will be very tough for you to live in that environment. We make so many friends and some become so close, that we start sharing each and every moment of our life with them. We also get good suggestions from them. Here, people go to sleep at around 2 AM or 3 AM because, before that, everyone is busy talking, shouting, dancing, and studying. The late-night gossip, sharing of clothes and boots, and sharing of food make life very interesting. Helping others in their difficult situations and giving them advice, laughing with each other and pulling one another’s leg is what makes our everyday memorable.

Mess life
On entering the hostel, the first thing we see is the mess. The word “MESS” makes us feel that we would not get tasty food anymore. It is often very tough to adjust to the food because the taste of every dish is different. The taste of the food is always different from your homemade food that is made by your mother. So it is sometimes hard to accept but in the long run you tend to adapt and love the food.

Group study
Now let’s come to group study. In a group, there are different types of students. Learning in a group is very important because students usually keep everything in their minds when it is
taught by their friends. During group study, the most important things are ”Phone and Earphones”.

Everyone puts their earphones on and listens to songs while solving problems which gives a good vibe. During exam preparations, group study becomes an easy process which helps to complete the syllabus. Studying the whole night before an exam is another type of feeling. Every friend in a group study tries to put in his/her best effort so that no one faces any problem.

Students generally experience a lot of panic and uncertainty amid the pandemic when it comes to their career prospects and more when they are graduating during the Corona virus pandemic. At first, I was too worried about my career, but I stopped worrying because we all had the privilege of “not worrying about placements” by being admitted to KIIT University.
Just 5 months ago, I was stuck with "what to do in the middle of the pandemic," and here I share some of my experiences that my pals need to hear and read.

What do we choose to do?

Don’t confuse how you work (remotely or physically) with the nature of the work itself. The reality is we might go to a pre-industrial era where people were mostly self-employed and had to figure out how to do something useful with their unique abilities and interests. So, each of us must figure out the answer to the question, “What is that I am unique in, that the world needs and is willing to pay?”

How can students ensure proper skills?

It’s futile to predict what skills need beyond the immediate future. Two things matter at this point, and they’re critical: Learning agility, the capacity to learn new things in quickly changing settings and Skills of the 21st century, it’s the communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, information-finding, teamwork, etc. These are timeless abilities and the very things that make us more human in a world where computers can do more and more.

Some advice you should consider!

Here are some advices on professional development during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn that you may follow! Though I have experienced it, so I feel to share it with you all too.

Recall reaching out. First, contacting friends and family. I checked in with one of my classmates at COVID-19 which provided me tremendous comfort. I also learned about her transition from academy to content writing and digital marketing. By reconnecting with her, I learned to pivot to a new field called freelancing besides enrolling in Biotechnology. And now I am self-independent.

Join career and professional development courses: I took virtual courses for few months. In LinkedIn, I connected with many people in various fields. They encouraged me to build
similar networking areas. I feel that one can build a good connection if he/she keeps up-to-date on social media.

Join networking events. The epidemic made us work more virtually. It also provided access to professional-sponsored seminars and networking activities. Remember to use these events—they are frequently discounted or even free. By joining many virtual events and NGOs, I brushed up my networking and communication skills.

Voluntary service. With many events happening online, you will find lots of chances to spend time to plan events or create or edit materials and establish new contacts in the process. During this pandemic, we are urged to stay isolated; COVID isolation doesn’t imply closing out the world. While restructuring and rethinking our work environment, we must also look for and react to changes to engage and develop relationships with others. Through these changes, we may expand our professional horizons and build important connections that become lifetime support networks. Check your self-development through books, podcasts, and more. There are thousands of podcasts, books, and other content to teach people about business, workplace culture, career advancement, and specific industries and skills—all with experts whose career paths might interest you. I got a Spotify subscription, and now I enjoy group sessions with friends and growing together because "small investments in yourself adds up to many.” Most importantly, You should not take pressure about anything, and yes, do not forget to binge-watch your favorite series.

Must watch on Netflix: Self-made, Alias Grace, Spotlight, Living on One dollar, 42, Jobs, The boy who harnessed the wind, The Pursuit of Happiness, Goodwill Hunting, The theory of everything.

Taking the next step ahead!

If you can’t reach the usual career growth markers, feeling stuck is natural. But even now, you can invest in your professional development and prepare for greater opportunities.

It may require a mindset switch. “Don’t rely on what you’ ve done before,” Diebolt says. “Initiating and driving your own career will always help you well.” So stay focused on your career goals and do what you can to grow professionally now, so when the time comes, you’ are ready for your next big move.

2nd Year, IT.

From writing on a whiteboard to learning from behind a screen, the face of education has rapidly evolved. With technology quickly becoming heavily involved in our everyday activities such as when making payments or buying groceries, it’s use in learning has gradually been implemented into traditional education and has revolutionized the way the students are being taught. In fact, it is now possible to study for an entire university degree online.

Schools and colleges were shut down in the second week of March in 2020 as a preventive measure to the spread of COVID-19. Since then, all the schools and colleges across the country have shifted their teaching-learning process to an online mode.

Transitioning to an ‘online mode’ has had its own share of challenges. These include limited access to the internet, lack of uninterrupted power supply, absence of a robust monitoring method, hindrances to replicating the rapport between teacher and students in an online world, bridging the patchy and impersonal online experience, and increase in screen-time. Now whether this mode of education is better than the offline mode or not is a debatable topic. But let’s talk about how online learning has somehow changed the teaching-learning process.

Increase in use of online tools and technology

Students are free to choose from a wide range of tutorials available on the internet, this not only helps them comprehend the topic better but also helps them get in-depth information about it. Unlike earlier days, teachers now use online platforms such as Google Classroom for submission of assignments and conducting tests which help them keep a track of the submissions made and marks scored. If this method of submitting assignments is followed even during the offline classes then it would reduce the work of both teachers as well as the students.

Personalization of Learning

Each student has his/her own pace of learning. While some may need more time, others may need more study material to achieve the same outcome. Due to the introduction of online learning, students are now able to have a self-paced mode of learning. Students can now record lectures and refer to them whenever they wish to. During offline classes, the teachers couldn’t address every student’s reservations individually, but the online education system allows them to distribute and manage time more efficiently and clarify everyone’s doubts.

Lifelong access

Online learning has made education equitable, convenient, lifelong, and accessible. Many students have enrolled for new courses during the lockdown. The fact that you don’t need to travel or need to be in a classroom has democratized learning and made it more convenient for students. If, while studying online, a student does not have the time to take down notes, he can always save the page or convert it to a document and download it. Unlike in traditional classrooms where, once the teacher has finished teaching, the matter is erased from the board, one can always refer to what he or she previously studied online by simply clicking on the site history.

We all have to admit the fact that colleges and schools do much more than just deliver content and teach. The teachers’ ability to engage students in debate and discussion, to mentor and coach, and to inspire and motivate is difficult to replicate in the online format. What is also difficult to replicate is peer learning, participation in extracurricular activities and sports, experiential learning, and development of emotional quotient and leadership ability.

The campus was in an absolute chaos. We had just got the information that the college was going to shutdown for two weeks. Everyone was elated about this short surprise “holiday”, little did we know that none of us were prepared for what the universe had in store for us. While some were on call trying to get the ticket for that last seat on the train, others hurried back to their hostels to quickly pack their bags- “Two weeks”, how much luggage could we possibly need for it?

I am on the terrace of my house now. With the coffee in one hand and my phone in the other, I was scrolling through the pictures in my gallery when one particular notification grabbed my attention- “You have memories to look back to”. It was a picture of me with my best friend on the day we managed to wake up at 6 in the morning to catch the first show of a film we’ve been waiting for. I smiled, almost painfully. I remembered the very important discussion we had on what we should wear. It was a good day. Facebook was prying on my thoughts (Well, along with my personal data).

It made me think of all the things I would have done if I knew I wasn’t going back to this place any time soon; the place that had almost started to feel like home, like our own personal space. We certainly would have spent an extra hour casually chatting with our friends or maybe visit KSAC one more time. The hostel rooms where we created multiple memories, both bitter and sweet, are empty now. It’s corridors are not buzzing with people trying to make it to the 8 am class or the lab you’re already late for. Can I stand there one more time, close my eyes and relive all the things which we didn’t pay much attention to, things we took for granted? Just one more time?

Food at home is amazing. We get everything just as we want it to be. But, I really wouldn’t mind bickering for that extra serving of rice following which was the proud march back to the table after successfully managing it. Just one more time!

Did I forget to mention the evening walks down the KIIT road? Tandoori momo at campus 3, chocolate chai at Chai bar and the special maggi and obviously, your friends. Carefree and happy when suddenly one realizes that they have to be at KSAC in 10 for a practice session. The nervous sprint and finally the sigh of relief after reaching the destination on time made us feel like we have conquered the world. Is it really too much to ask for to have it again? Seriously, just one more time!

All good things come to an end but for us our college ended way too soon. So many things to do, places to visit, events to organise, fests to attend and memories to make. Let's hope and pray that we can go back to our favourite place and are able to make up for the lost time.

A student is held responsible for so many things at a very young age. Of course, they are the future builders, but is it always like building the future with what they had
wished for?

Entering a university is like hopping into a whole new story. Our university, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Deemed to be University holds endless opportunities for its students. Whether it is the campus, the aura, environment and most of all the number of courses, everything is considered from the root for the entire development of a learner. And KIIT understands the significance of the same. It understands the importance of meeting new people to get along with them and keep on learning, hence it also serves as a platform for the same.

A competition arises when it comes to the selection of a department but what if there is a rush within the same department? Yes, when it comes to Computer Science (CS), we get to see a total of four different branches : CSE, CSSE, CSCE and IT. Students often get confused for whether they took a right decision or not. I am sure, almost all the students had to go through this phase. When we bid a farewell to our high school, we leave behind everything except for a mindset, more than often. Most of us who had Biology or Physical Education as an optional, feel that they might not be able to cope up with these branches unlike those who had Computer Science chosen in their senior secondary. Little do they know that everything demands a start and hence every University teaches all the coding languages from the very beginning.

One of the many advantages of going along with the CS department is that it prepares you thoroughly for the technical as well as the corporate world. Coding becomes your hobby, learning becomes a ritual. The lab sessions which were considered to be a fun class earlier, now stands as the fun and constructive hours. All the subjects are quite useful. Moreover, the way the education system has modified where it relates almost everything with the daily life of an individual, whether it is the codes, their compilation and finally the implementation, all of these makes this particular subject so much to be in demand and everyone’s favourite.

Being a CS student, you regard your time as the most precious. From getting up an hour earlier and grabbing just anything to eat from the mess because your mind is continuously chasing that one single point where you will get the answer of all the errors you made in the previous class? Yes, that is what the life of a CS student seems like. 7:00 in the morning to 12:00 midnight is a lot of time but to the CS students, it seems like only seconds. More or less, you get an idea of how judiciously you should work on your overall management skills for it is not only a benefit to you, but the entire mankind someday.

The ones who dream for and believe in the same are going to enjoy the entire journey of the four years of B.Tech and thank themselves for every decision they had to take at some point to reach that particular point. Last but not the least, counting the advantages of anything won’t make it to the good books. If an individual wants to gain something out of it, he/she has to enjoy doing it. It should never feel like a task to oneself but a habit, a ritual and most of all a promise one needs to keep up with till the end of time. After all, it is all going to be worth it.

2nd Year, CSE.

If you’re reading this, there are chances that either you’re a student leaving for hostel soon, currently living in a hostel, or simply an ex-hosteller reminiscing the good old days. Going off to college often entails trading the comforts of home for a different life altogether where we have to fend for ourselves. New city, new friends, new experiences, new responsibilities are just glimpses of what awaits you. One of the biggest changes that occur in the life of most students is shifting to college hostels. The nervousness and anxiety of having to move to a different city and sharing your room with a stranger all fade away in the excitement of the freedom that college life offers.

            ‘Home away from home’

Feeling homesick? The mere thought of being so far away from home is foreboding. However, hostel life isn’t all bad. Before you know it, you’ll see that your hostel is a home away from home. In fact, the advantages frequently outweigh the disadvantages in this case. Hostellers learn about independence, finance, management, and much more, but most importantly they learn about life.

Also, we realize how ghar ka khaana is the best in the world.

The Humble Abode.

Hostel life, living in a room with roommates, teaches us the art of living. That is, living with others and the joys of sharing. Can’t find your shirt after you left it to dry? *Finds a roommate wearing it*

‘Being considerate of others will take you further in life than a college degree’

This is the biggest takeaway one can get from living in a hostel. At the end of the day, we adapt to our roommates and make ourselves comfortable, creating a bond with the people around us to make our lives easier. The long late-night conversations, sharing everything from books to shampoo, and the daily battle for the washroom are things that bring people close in an unforgettable and unbreakable way. Some are fun and act like clowns to spread joy, some share their wisdom and help others. The memories a hosteller creates with the friendship they have, stay with them for a very long period of their lives. It is always cheerful to have someone to have our back when we need it!

The Mess.

The first thing that comes to mind after hearing the word “hostel” is the mess. The abode of “delicious” food is one of a kind (in the literal sense!). No master chef can whip out such delicacies. The dosas and puris are like boats floating on water, except that the water here is oil. But all jokes aside, the best thing about KIIT mess is that they listen to the children. If we want pasta, we get it! There is something for everyone here, and I, being an extremely picky eater, am actually pretty satisfied with the food provided. During this lockdown, there are days when I wake up and crave some of the butter chicken that was our ‘Sunday Special’ back in the hostel.

Group Study is the way to go!

You’re missing out if you live in a hostel and haven’t tried group study even once. Group study is both enjoyable and beneficial because when one person is not in the mood, the others can be the motivators. Simultaneously, joking around and listening to songs together while studying is something that one should never miss out on. Studying was never this easy. For people who actually know how to go for smart work, having roommates with the same talent comes as a blessing in disguise. During exams, it becomes easier to complete the subjects together.

Alone? What’s that?

In hostel, you’ll literally never be alone. Even if your roommates have gone off home, or maybe outside, there are always a hundred other people whose room you can go to, to just talk about random stuff. Being a hosteller, introvert or extrovert, you can’t help but know a lot of people. Be it going to random seniors for help with studies or reference books, or making friends with your entire floor in the daily bathroom struggle, we can’t help making friends with the most unexpected people. Living with friends makes us forget what it’s like to be alone, and this is something you’ll certainly miss when it’s time to graduate.

Learning to be Thrifty.

Money management comes naturally to you because you are usually broke. You learn to value the little things in life. Being away from home makes you realize that money is not in infinite supply, and actually having to visit the ATM teaches us the pain of being broke. When we’re not at home, we start to realize exactly how much we’re spending, and saying “I have no money right now” becomes normal towards the end of the month. Although it is our parents’ money we’re using, it’s our account which becomes empty every so often, and spending wisely is better than feeling the embarrassment of asking parents for money every few days. This teaches us to be careful much before we have to experience being truly broke when we start working. All in all, it is a good learning experience.

If we talk about KIIT hostels, I can tell you I have had some of the best memories there. Most parents are hesitant to send their precious kids off to hostels in fear of ragging. But KIIT being an anti-ragging University, takes care of that terror. The seniors are so friendly and helpful, you’ll never feel like a deer in headlights, all lost and alone. It will not take more than 3 months to befriend the wardens, and soon you’ll be sneaking off to get food from the nearby food courts! And yes, as stereotypical as it may sound, making Maggi at 2 in the morning with your roommates as you prepare for the dooming exams is a different experience altogether.

I believe you have to experience hostel life once in your life. How to handle situations when you are alone, how to get along with others when you are sharing a room with them. You tend to be less selfish and understand what is sharing. More than anything, hostellers learn to adjust with anyone and anything. They become independent and are ready to take on the big bad world. It’s not just a fun experience to live with friends for several years; it also teaches us much more about life than any class or lecture ever could.

“Leave home with a big, bright dream.
Nurture it into a bigger, brighter reality.”
– Unknown

All my life, I have been a homebody and thinking about my new college venture terrified me. I studied in the same school all my life and had the same set of friends from the very beginning. The thought of having to make friends and interact with new people kept me awake at night. I did not know if I could handle being away from my family and live on my own. There’s a lot to figure out when moving to college and leaving home for the first time. You and your roommates have to co-exist together without having to argue with each other, do your laundry and pay your bills. This extra responsibility might seem daunting, but there are added benefits of going away to college, that is, your newfound freedom and education. So I did some research and was happy to see my seniors and their perfect new lives, full of freedom and adventure, and could not wait for my turn to come. But here is something they don’t tell you about leaving home for the first time. They don’t tell you how bidding farewell to your folks is probably the hardest thing you will ever need to do. Despite claiming my newfound independence, I found myself calling my parents every single day, even if it was only to hear familiar voices. You will, beyond question, meet many new individuals. Regardless, you will crave the familiarity and comfort of the people and places you loved.

But there is a reason why they don’t tell you these things, and having lived at KIIT University, I understand why. The people I met here have impacted me and the way I think immensely. Even though we are from every corner of the country, we share at least one interest–getting a bachelor’s degree. We have another thing in common–we left our home for university, and that is pretty much all we knew when we arrived. This initial uncertainty most definitely connected us, and as time goes by, it is still part of our lives. Life at college is the time when teenage years end and we all dive deep into the ocean of new beginnings and possibilities. I have quite a strong connection with my friends through the things we don’t know and are about to experience together. The friendships you make in college life are the most important aspect. These people will give you strength and be your knights in shining armor all your life. It is a perfect blend of joy and hardships. This golden period will equip you for all the challenges you will face in life and create a strong foundation of knowledge. Embarking on this journey would unquestionably be one of your life’s best experiences.

Nobody told me that I would meet people who would become my family in such a short period. I have learned so many things from the people I have met, and I have gained new perspectives on almost every aspect of who I am and where I want to go. If that has taught me anything, it is that we should not fear change. Homes can be in countries, cities, or with people. What often stops us from creating these homes is the fear of uncertainty and the inevitable perishability of all things. And even though it is tough to let go of these fears (trust me, I speak from experience), in the end, it is worth it. Because we will become the best versions of ourselves when we open up, learn from, and celebrate our differences. No one told me that home is not a place but a feeling and how grateful I am to realize that I have not one but rather two places that I currently call home.

College is a crazy time. It is the intersection of life, money, education, career, and more. It is a time to discover yourself, to be on your own, and to begin to fathom life. In this process, college societies play an essential role. You get to learn more about yourself.

Joining a student organization presents many opportunities to learn more about yourself, your goals, and your strengths. You can discover how other students handle certain situations and test your current knowledge. You can also find out what you’re good at, whether that’s multitasking, staying organized, generating ideas, or serving others. This self-awareness will be beneficial in your future. Some advantages are as follows:

You will develop soft skills

Soft skills are essentially people skills; they are skills that allow us to effectively interact with others, like communication, attitude, and work ethics. Participating in a student society not only teaches you these skills but also helps you improve your existing skills. You will learn the best way to communicate with both individuals and large groups, and you will gain emotional intelligence as you develop new relationships.

You will learn teamwork

Knowing how to work well with a team is an essential skill for any career. Being in a student society teaches you how to do this by putting you in situations where you are required to take advice from others and give your own.

You will get networking opportunities

Another great benefit of student society is that you get the opportunity to network. Meeting new students, making connections, and building relationships will all help down the line when you’re looking for a job. Because you’re all part of the same organization, you know the people you’re meeting to have at least a few of the same interests as you, so their connections will be valuable.

You will gain practical experience in a safe environment

Participating in a club or a society based on your particular area of study will give you practical experience within that field. And what's great about student clubs is that while you learn to use skills like project management, event planning, and fundraising, you get to test them out in a safe environment where making mistakes is OK. Everyone is there to support you, so there’s no fear of messing up or being wrong.

Being a student of KIIT University, we are grateful to have KSAC (KIIT Student Activity Centre) which even during the pandemic has been committed to its goal of engaging students in societies, supporting their talent and giving students the platform to explore new horizons and reach great heights.