Live It While You Can: Seniors Share Advice For College Freshers

“You will meet a lot of interesting people in college, it gives you a lot of exposure and a bag full of varied experiences”, nervous first-year students usually hear this before stepping into their dream college. Fresh out of school, college life can be a drastic transition for few. From living in a hostel in a new city to travelling alone; college life could mean both; Freedom and responsibility.

If you want to make the most of college life,  it's very important to be a little carefree.

It indeed brings a host of opportunities. Fests, friends and student elections are to name a few. It is easy to get overwhelmed in such a competitive atmosphere. A lot of first years find it difficult to maintain a balance between academics and extra-curricular activities. Often the pressure of maintaining a steady attendance combined with peer pressure to excel all aspects can be exhausting too.

The only source of relief in such times is the seniors, who walked the same road and are by now well aware with the rocky side of things. They can be resourceful and protective at multiple times during your college life. You can always rely on them for advice or a last minute exam preparation hack.

A lot of first years find it difficult to maintain a balance between academics and extra-curricular activities.

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Hence, we collected a few words of wisdom for the new ones, who are eagerly anticipating the start of this journey; by asking a few seniors as to how can one make the most out of college life.

"Live it while you can."

Pratibha Grover of Economic Honors student from Christ college shares her college life experience saying, “It was the first time I was away from home and these three years have definitely taught me a lot. Apart from being independent, being responsible is something that I learnt. Also the thing about college is, you end up making friends who you know will stay. And those aren't going to be in large numbers, maybe even one actually.

If you want to make the most of college life,  it's very important to be a little carefree. Take risks, bunk classes, break rules, get caught but just make sure the consequences are something you can deal with. Live it while you can because once it's over you're going to miss it. A lot.”

Also, the thing about college is, you end up making friends who you know will stay. And those aren't going to be in large numbers, maybe even one actually. - Pratibha Grover

Get out of comfort zone

Kriti Dwivedi of Journalism honors, who finished with her exams recently says, "My experience at Kamala Nehru college was amazing and I don’t think I could’ve asked for anything better. Being the head for both my department and also the college band, life was always full of work and entertainment. Three years in Delhi University can give you a lot of exposure and help you identify your talent, provided you utilize your time judiciously. Trying new things, interacting with new people, doing things out of your comfort zone can really help to extract the most out of one’s college life. It's what I did, and I think everyone should do as well.”

Diya Choudhary, a third-year student at Kamala Nehru College pursuing the same course says, “My experience of college was a really amazing one because I was part of a very interactive department and cultural society as well. College for me has been a place where I can truly be myself, by being able to freely discuss my opinions on various educational matters in the department as well as being able to carry on with my passion to dance through the cultural society.”

Societies and Participation

Choudhary further adds, “If I were to suggest how to make the best of college life, I would definitely encourage them to join a society. It really helps broaden your daily working sphere and you get to meet a lot of people from different educational backgrounds, who have this one common talent or passion, which helps you find a really strong connection with those people. And you never know, you may find friends for life, like I did! And I would also encourage participation in the department, by being a part of the annual departmental festival or other events, if any, because it helps a lot to interact with kids from the other years too and it can be really fun!"

Picture Credit: Patrika 

Regular Attendance is the Key

Ritika Raj, a second year of Kamala Nehru College shares her experience, “To make the most out of college life, I personally feel that one should go to college quite regularly. Attendance and all are secondary but you become a better version of yourself, both professionally and personally through constant exposure to ideas. Interning at various arenas, going out and travelling are also really important.”

I personally feel that one should go to college quite regularly. Attendance and all are secondary but you become a better version of yourself, both professionally and personally through constant exposure to ideas. - Ritika Raj

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It's not always rainbows and butterflies.

Aditi Minglani of Kamala Nehru College opines, “So, I think coming to college seems more glamorous and glittery than it actually is. Of course it is a new lifestyle after the rigid school years. Coming to my personal experience of being in an all-girls college and being into a professional course like Journalism, it was quite tough to cope with the everyday competition. But then everything seems to be working out for me. I think college life is not only about academics but also about extra-curricular activities (just mind that you get your ECA slips on time).

Get most out of your college by participating in the departmental and annual fest. Also standing up for elections, working day and night getting money for your fest and to name a few. It may sound drill but everything seems worthwhile when you look back to it on your farewell day!”

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Snigdha Gupta is an intern with SheThePeople.TV