Sipra S Mishra
2nd year

 Remember the last day of school? The last time you heard the assembly bell go? The last time you loitered around the whole campus in the name of
“Ma’am! may I go to the washroom?”

Ahh! Those were the days!

I am assuming I am not the only one here who desperately wanted to get out of school and go to college and welcome the newfound freedom with open arms. Well, when I was in school, of course, I shed my part of tears and said my share of goodbyes but I always was in a hurry to go to college. Looking at my seniors graduate from school and then entering college and all of sudden having this freedom and independence and mostly importantly an Instagram-worthy social life, I wanted that too. At one point I was even desperate to go to college. I have never been more wrong in my life! Don’t get me wrong, college is a rollercoaster ride of experience and emotions. But it was nothing like I expected it to be.

If you are like me who spent the entirety of her childhood watching Karan Johar’s movies, let me tell you your college will not be like the ones he showed us. I am sorry but someone had to break it to you.

I struggled the first few weeks trying to fit in, making new friends, and getting used to the whole college environment. It wasn’t like school where friendships would begin with lending and borrowing of stationary. College was different. It took me one whole semester to finally find my tribe and footing. And over the last year, I have learned many things. So consider me as your big sister and read on as I tell you everything that I have learned in this one year of college life. Who knows, you might as well find some advice for yourself.

One of the most important lessons I learned in college is how random life is. Life isn’t perfect. It’s not what you see on your Instagram for your page. Life is random. It makes no sense. You will get the taste of this very randomness from the first month itself. Some days will be good, you will meet people who you just instantly connect with but after a week or so they will seem like strangers. Some days will be bad. You will get picked up, and judged even. And some days will be gorgeous giving you tons of pictures to update your Instagram feed. Don’t fight this randomness hoping for a pattern, because there isn’t one. Embrace uncertainty and make peace with it. It’s the key to maintaining your sanity in a place away from home

Another very important lesson is don’t expect things. Just don’t.! The more you expect things out of people, situations, etc the more disappointed you will be. We are all here to get a degree, and in the process we make friends, we get our hearts broken, we build a home away from home and that’s the beauty of it all. You should stop expecting people to be a certain way and just accept them the way they are. You let go of the desperation to shape people into your expectations and that’s when the magic happens. Don’t be on the lookout for making friends. Be yourself. Be your best self and just watch yourself attract the tribe that matches your vibe. Every situation won’t go the way you want it to. And you know what IT’S OKAY! Trust the process, take a deep breath and just fly with your wings at your pace.

I am sure all of you scroll and scroll your days away on Instagram. What I am going to tell you now isn’t something new and I am sure most of you must have heard it from your favorite self-improvement Instagram Influencer. Networking in college is extremely important.

I would say making a network is even more important than a hundred percent attendance. Now don’t start skipping your class because you read a blog that said hundred percent attendance is not important. Making a network with people is the biggest perk of being in college. Miss some classes if you want to but don’t miss events and seminars where you can get to interact with people who have seen the world you want to get into. The wider your circle is, the better the opportunities that you will be aware of. It’s always a great idea to interact with like-minded people, listen to what they have to say about their vision, and derive inspiration from them. Your immediate seniors are the first set of people you should network with. Don’t limit yourself to a certain group. Grow your circle and keep networking. The more people you know, the better it is. College is not only about exams and assignments, it is also a time to forge lifelong friendships, broaden your horizons, and build a diverse network. Join clubs and societies, attend events, and be open to meeting people from different backgrounds. These connections will not only enhance your college experience but also contribute to your personal growth.

Lastly, the MOST important lesson I learned in college is to experiment a lot. If you were to take away one lesson let it be this one. You are young only once and use this time to experiment with life. Learn new skills, join societies, and try out different things. Only then you will be able to figure out what you want from life. Use this time well to try out a lot of different things so that when the time comes to make a choice, you are well equipped, all ready. Don’t limit yourself to your curriculum. Life lessons extend beyond the four walls of the classroom. Keep learning different things. Don’t burn yourself out in this process. Mental sanity is equally important. Learn to strike a balance between academics and social life. Make time for your hobbies. This is crucial for helping you evolve into the person you want to be.

College is not just about textbooks and exams; it’s a journey of self-discovery, lifelong friendships, and embracing the beautiful chaos of learning both inside and outside the classroom. This phase of your life is the most beautiful phase ever. Your college life is something you will cherish for years to come. Trust me, you will have assignments, a lot of them, tests, projects, and a whole lot of things that will test your patience but you know what, you will learn to strike a balance eventually. In the beginning, it’ll be a little tough but eventually, you’ll get the hang of it. Enjoy yourself to the fullest, make lots of friends, and create tons of memories together. After all college is a rollercoaster of a ride, a ride that you wouldn’t want to miss whatsoever.