I have learnt to have opinions of my own while still respecting others, says Shabnam Ameenudeen

While I was in Class 12, I had two options either Biotechnology or Genetic Engineering. I wanted to make sure about the duration of the course and scope of the same in the future in Chennai because my parents don’t want me to go outside. I was sure about one thing that my interest is towards research and have to make the best with whatever I am given. Then after a lot of discussion and research about the courses and subjects, I opted for Biotechnology. Regarding college, it was my father’s choice. Because he has been the alumni Crescent School of Life Sciences (B.S.Abdur Rahman University) and knows better about the environment and the culture of the institute. Later that turned into the best decision we made. He made sure that my study environment is friendly as well as focuses on my improvement. Because of the same reason, I wanted to continue with my post-graduation from the same institute, though I appeared for a few entrance exams, but that was just for exposure.

I was early for the admission though they extended the deadline. As a part of admission process, there is an entrance exam conducted by the University for which I didn’t undergo any coaching classes. Just the revision of class 12 subjects majorly mathematics and biology helped me prepare well for the exam. I attempted to write JEE main just by practicing the previous year's problem-solving books. I also tried for Anna University and IIT Madras. No challenges faced because of the known resources. 

When I joined the undergraduate programme, I found it difficult to cope with the changing environment and people from different backgrounds. Later everything changed the other way, I had so many friends not only from the same department but also from other departments. I spend time most of the time in college attending all the classes, besides that, I visit the canteen, and we play badminton for which we have court, participating in the symposiums organising committee and presenting, doing projects, activity-based assignments, and many more. The college environment and friends have changed me a lot in a positive way to open up, overcome my complexities, my attitude and approach towards situations and people. Accepting others for who they are and what they are is the best lesson I have got from my surroundings which is full of judgment-free people. It makes things easier and helps to have opinions of your own while still respecting others and working together with them. We also had a herbal garden in the department with over 40 plants that are locally available, yet not noticed by the people about their properties. If given a chance, I would like to be a part of a public speaking campaign where the students from different departments discuss the improvements they would like to bring up in the campus and represent themselves to the management and encourage small scale business of students like me to put up stalls once in a week or month. 

I aspire to be an entrepreneur for which I am preparing the basic things that are required.

About the author

Shabnam Ameenudeen is an MTech student at B.S.Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology. He is also a BTech alumnus of the same institute. He has a great interest in reading and writing and has a shell collection of his own. He also has great curiosity about exploring answers

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