Mystory@Shibani Patnaik: How I chose my course and college

I completed my high school studies from St. Joseph's Girl's High School. Passing 10th board came with a good deal of decision making. I had to choose between various streams. I chose commerce and took admission in D.A.V. Public School. That is where my foundation of Commerce was laid. Two years whizzed past, and now I am in Ravenshaw University pursuing my BCom (Hons) degree.

Ravenshaw University dates back to 1868 and is the most prestigious University in Odisha. Many eminent leaders, politicians, and writers have graduated from Ravenshaw University. Ravenshaw University has a rich history and is one of the oldest universities in India. 

How I cracked college admission

Ravenshaw University does not really have an entrance exam for under-graduation courses. The selection is based on one's 12th board marks. Ravenshaw University usually has a high cut-off percentage. So, anyone who wants to pursue Bachelor's degree in Ravenshaw University has to get a high percentage in order to get in. I worked really hard in my 12th boards and that is how I got into Ravenshaw University. One can get into this University only by getting high marks or through various other quotas like sports, dance, music, etc.

Students from all over Odisha and from many other states apply here for various courses. Competition is tough and it is really difficult to get in. Only the students having a high percentage get admission. The cut-off percentage keeps increasing by 2 to 4% every year. 

I had applied for Kalinga Institute of Business Management, Bhubaneswar and Xavier University, Bhubaneswar and had managed to get in both. They both had separate entrance examinations which had multiple-choice question pattern. I did not take any coaching classes for those entrance exams. I just looked up Google for pocket test papers and read books. Xavier's University had questions from our 12th Standard course. Hence, I studied the course again. I chose Ravenshaw University out of the three options keeping its rich campus, skilled teachers, facilities, culture and heritage in mind.

What I gained from my college experience

Most of the time in college is spent in classes and educational seminars. Ravenshaw University organises a lot seminars, debate groups, camps, etc. Therefore, a good deal of our time is spent in all these activities. The university not only gives importance to education but also encourages students to take part in various competitions, camps and quizzes so that students get avenues to find out their passion. Various competitions like singing, dancing, debate, essay writing, quizzes, and dramatics are held throughout the year by different departments.

Ravenshaw University focuses on the overall development of an individual and shapes him/her to become an outstanding individual who knows how to deal with all the ordeals of the world. Teachers keep on advising that academics are not the only essential thing in life. Life is more than just that. Frequent blood donation camps are held so that students get to know that how fortunate they are to be healthy and how ill-fated people keep on fighting in their everyday life. Various colleges invite the students of Ravenshaw University to take part in their festivals which helps us in getting exposure. Every year campus elections are held which teach us the true meaning of democracy and explains how important it is to have opinions as we are the ones who choose our leaders. Campus elections help students in developing their leadership skills and enables an individual to take up responsibilities. The candidates are selected after strict background check so as to avoid bad leaders.

Classes are held on a regular basis. I find it interesting to attend classes in which I can really connect with the teachers and where teachers interact freely with the students. Friendly teachers are always a "yes" for me.

College frames us as an adult. School lays the foundation and college builds the framework. College teaches us to be mature and helps us in shedding our childish nature. It teaches us how to react and act which are the most essential things. After all, the way in which we act and react shows the type of individual we are. College shows us the harsh realities or life and how adversities shapes us as   human beings. It helps us stay strong and deal with life with sheer panache.

 

About the Author:

I am Shibani Patnaik and I hail from a town called Cuttack, Odisha (which I suppose many are not aware of). It is honestly a great place in its own little way. I like knowing people from their soul and not by face. Meeting people and knowing about their issues is what interests me (weird, right?). People might have a whirlpool of emotions in their head and still manage to have a smile on their face. I want to know about those spinning emotions because they can teach me volumes. Reading books, listening to music interests me a lot and give me peace.