Additional classes on personality building have proved to be effective for overall development, says Zufshan Imran

I was a Commerce student in high school because I didn’t have what it took to be learning advanced Science nor did I have clarity of my future in Humanities. So as my last resort I took Commerce in which I had some knowledge of Economics and liked the idea of being in the corporate world and wearing formals every day. I started enjoying the classes like never before. Economics was music to me in Class 11, it seemed easy and practical and related like someone I always had an idea of but didn’t know the name. Business Studies was a story-time class where we would indulge in the case studies more often than having one-way lectures. Accountancy though was quite a brainstormer at first because I never really was introduced to it before but after taking some time I caught my pace and I loved it too. And knowing these subjects and passing in them without much difficulty made me choose BCom (hons) in graduation. Many asked me why wasn’t I taking BBA as it is more famous and sought after course but according to me if one is taking BBA their choices are restricted to management only because one doesn’t do MBA after BBA then it’s just a waste because what’s the point? Choosing to do CA or CS or CFA doesn’t look like a wise decision after doing bachelor's in management so thoroughly.

After my Class 12 board exams, I applied to Delhi University (DU), which I was really confident about and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). My mother didn’t let me apply for universities away from home because she was too scared so these were my only options. But my confidence in getting in a good DU college broke when the results came out. I didn’t score enough marks to get a reputed DU college through general category, and the only hope I had was to get into one of the top 5 colleges in GGSIPU. Also, during this period I put my mind on BCom (Hons) only and wasn’t settling for any other course just for the sake of getting in DU. 

I messed up GGSIPU counselling by not following the online counselling procedures properly, at first, but then I got lucky. So spot counselling was the only way out in which prospective students have to go to a designated college and choose between the leftover seats and if you’re way too lucky, you get a good one. By the time my name was called out, I was in tears from the inside and in sweat from the outside. I was depending on this day so much so that if I had come back empty-handed, I’d hit rock bottom. The situation was one of the most stressful situations I had ever faced and all I was counting on was to get one of the three seats left in JIMS Kalkaji - Jagannath International Management School. I had done my research work beforehand and was aware that it is the top third-ranked college in GGSIPU for BCom (Hons). Mentally, I was on my knees, praying to get a seat. And guess what? I was ‘way too lucky’ to get one. I was happy and excited, after all, it was the beginning of college, finally.

First glance at the building, and all I could say was “Is that all?”. Apparently, in the capital of the nation, if you own a private college, either you can grow on the land or you can move past it and grow the quality of education that you provide. On my first day in JIMS Kalkaji, I took a little tour of my little college finding places I planned to make my own, where I would sit with my group of friends and spend the day talking and making memories, then the bell rang and I saw way too many people this building could hold, coming out and storming the canteen area. I assumed the food is good. I took a look in the library and I was instantly impressed by the interiors, a perfect mix of modern and conventional. I went on to my class on the second floor, I noticed a mixture of personalities of students from different backgrounds in a class of 60 and the friends I made that day are still the same and have entered my close circle of confidants in these one and a half years. The ones with whom I have shared my stories and experiences, seat and food all this time.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a hard journey for me to settle and fit in. Within the first two months, I learnt that I have the best seniors I could get. Totally, opposite to what I heard from my friends in other colleges and had the prerequisite knowledge of. They helped me build confidence in my art (writing) and showcase it to my audience. I have not felt even slightly bullied or harassed by my seniors and have felt nothing but safe with them. They are mature, inviting, fun, caring and I have learned a lot from them.

The teachers are well-versed in their respective subjects and offer new ways of learning. Most of them are young and teach the subjects in an unconventional way which is more efficient and effective than dictating notes and blabbering theories aimlessly. Learning through well-made PowerPoint presentations, videos and guest lecturers is a regular activity. We are made to give presentations regularly along with the ongoing debates on the latest topics that bring in more participation of the class into progressive communication. We have been introduced to an additional class in the third semester that is dedicated to personality building in which we hold debates, discussions, forming CVs, AdMADs, extempores, creative writing and open mics. Moreover, we have our own cultural societies that don’t usually exist in private institutions. They are constantly working towards representing our students and college in events and secure awards too.

I don’t regret the decision I made during spot counselling because that decision has made me complete two very rewarding internships in just one and a half years of college along with me growing as a writer and more so as a personality. In the end, all I want to say about JIMS, Kalkaji is that big things come in small packages.

About the author:

Zufshan Imran is a second-year B.Com student at JIMS Kalkaji - Jagannath International Management School. She is a writing enthusiast with a keen interest in Hindi poetry and shayri. More than classrooms she is found indulging herself in various co-curricular activities.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha