College campuses all over Delhi are finally reopening and we cannot wait to finally enter (or in some cases, resume) our college lives. But if this is your first time on campus, things can be pretty overwhelming. Navigating life in Delhi, figuring out how to manage your grades while also trying to live that quintessential Karan Johar college life and trying to be a fully functional adult is not an easy task. Not just the freshers but a lot of second-year students haven’t been to the campus and have only known college through Zoom and Google Meet. And yes, yes–even I, a senior, have not spent much time in offline learning but it is my rightful duty to bestow upon the coming scholars all the knowledge I have gathered about the ye ol’ days of offline college.
And trust me, while a virtual college experience is convenient, the actual college experience is much more fruitful to your personality.
Campus Life
While you are in college, your campus becomes your second home. It is not only about visiting cafes and spending money at local famous markets but do remember to take in the full campus experience:
- Take long, idle, ‘exploring’ walks around your camps. You might find some hidden gems along with some famous spots. It is a special part of the college experience to know about that one spot on campus with high network connectivity and that one place where the sun hits just right for you to click that perfect shot. Have a nice cuppa while surrounded by serenity at the sprawling lawns or get lost in the huge library: the choice is yours.
- I cannot emphasize this enough: make friends and spend time with them. Not only is this a very obvious thing to do in college but it is also very important. While attending lectures is absolutely important for education, there are some things you learn outside the classroom. When unprecedented things happen (read: the pandemic!), it is those moments that you would want to get back to. And yes, it is okay to skip some classes and attend that concert.
- Participate in events, society works, department fests and everything you can get your hands on. Not only is it good for your skill building, but you will also make many friendships and memories by doing such extra-curricular activities. This is the time for some actual hard work and sweat. Not to forget, the pictures will look good on your IG feed and the references will look good on your CVs.
Academia
Of course, it is through real-life experiences that you grow your personality but remember, academia is the real reason you are here.
- Your professors are going to be your anchors in this ocean of college life. You can no longer just reply “yes, you are audible” through laptops but have to actually interact with them. Remember, they are not your high school teachers, not your bosses, and not your friends. Professors demand respect but you should not fear their authority. You are an adult and must stand strong on your opinions while also being respectful to your professors. Their stands vary on the wide spectrum of ‘things they are cool with’. Be sure to recognise their approachability and make full use of that.
- My most humble advice: don’t be competitive– you will kill your self-esteem. In college, you will meet many people who are better than you in some things while worse in others. If you keep comparing yourself to others, it will crush your individuality and make you another rat in this race. Remember, you are here to study and be your best self. Do good in academics because you want to learn, not because you want to get a medal.
- To be an efficient student, you must learn to stay on top of your notes. Your professors are wise people (duh! They are professors!) and you should utilize their lectures. Borrow notes from your friends and do your own secondary research. Libraries are open now and do not hesitate to spend your evenings there. There will be some great study material there that you won’t find on Google that easy.
Beyond Campus
We have been to the campus, we have been to the classroom. Now, it’s time to know what else is out there. While weekends are great for catching up on sleep, if you want a holistic college life, do remember to explore the city.
- There are many plays, open mics, stand up comedy, live music events happen around Delhi all the time. Go there with friends and have a great time or meet some new people there if you are comfortable with it. Websites like BookMyShow and AllEvents come in really handy for such weekend plans.
- Delhi has a great number of museums and art galleries for you to visit. National Museum, Gandhi Smriti, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery of Modern Art, etc. are some great places. Side this plan with a visit to a nearby cafe and you have yourself a recipe for an awesome weekend!
- You cannot come to the National Capital and not visit the amazing historical monuments it offers you. While you have common tourist spots like Indian Gate and Humayun’s Tomb, you can also explore some not-so-famous spots like the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Sundar Nursery, Hauz Khas village, etc. to learn a thing or two about Indian history and culture.
The years you spend in college will fly away in a wink. Be sure to make the best of what you have. Yes, it can be overwhelming and at times, college can get you at your worst. It is important that you remember that you are here to learn, not just your coursework, but how to live your life. Build your skills and build friendships. These years will not come back so try to cherish every moment.