Finding Balance and Harmony: My College Experience Through the Lens of Yin and Yang

In the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, balance and harmony are crucial to living a fulfilling life. As a Bachelor in Business Administration student in Ranchi, this philosophy is particularly relevant to my college experience. In this article, I will reflect on my time in college and share how the principles of Yin and Yang have helped me find balance and harmony in my academic and personal life. 

The Yin and Yang philosophy teaches that everything in the universe is made up of two complementary and interconnected forces: Yin, which represents darkness, chaos, and femininity, and Yang, which means light, order, and masculinity. These two forces are not static, but constantly interact and influence each other, and finding a balance between them is crucial to achieving harmony.

How I landed at Sarala Birla University

I passed my board exams and got highly paranoid about the results because I didn’t put in my best efforts. Being paranoid, resulted in me freaking out about which college would accept me. Due to a lack of awareness about platforms like Shiksha, I chose the first college that accepted my application. Now that I reflect upon it, It was Yin at play, because of the total chaos of my mental state and the paranoia it introduced me to. I got into Sarala Birla University, Ranchi and opted for Bachelor's in Business Administration, due to my career aspiration of being an entrepreneur one day. Sarala Birla caught my attention due to its serene location, offering a peaceful respite despite the hustle and bustle of city life. 

The SBU, Ranchi campus is situated amidst the verdant surroundings, stretching over nearly 60 acres of land owned by Bharat Arogya & Gyan Mandir at Birla Campus, Ranchi, Jharkhand. I’m currently in my 2nd year of graduation at Sarala Birla University and expected to graduate in 2024. I’ve completed most of my core subjects which include Finance, Marketing, and Human Resources; and my current focus is on upskilling myself and my resume. The university provides decent facilities to do so and I’m particularly addicted to the different orientation programs being conducted by mentors, though my obsession lies in the coffee being served at the college canteen. On a regular day, I consume 3 cups, which is not very yin and yang.

Curiosity in Business drove me to choose BBA

As a child, I developed a keen interest in business and psychology. I used to be the kid who would look at successful people and wondered what separated them from the rest of the crowd (still am). How much of an impact did luck, mentality, connections, and education have on their success; and if so, could it be analysed in a numerical value? This infatuation for curiosity to find answers drove me to opt for a business major in graduation, and I chose the program Bachelor in Business Administration which covered all major aspects of the business world like finance and marketing. But I was behaviourally influenced by sub-majors like Human Resource Management and Advertising.

In addition to finding a balance between my academic and personal lives, I also found it helpful to embrace the Yin and Yang philosophy in my approach to learning. In my Bachelor in Business Administration program, I have learned about the importance of both analytical and creative thinking in business. By embracing both Yin and Yang, I have been able to develop a more holistic understanding of business concepts and strategies. For example, in one of my marketing classes, we studied the importance of both data analysis and storytelling in creating effective marketing campaigns. By understanding the Yin and Yang of marketing – the analytical and the creative – I was able to appreciate the importance of both approaches and find ways to integrate them into my own work.

An Incident Changed My Perspective on Being Kind 

During my time in college, I had a professor who was known for her kindness and empathy towards her students. She always went out of her way to make sure that everyone felt heard and valued, regardless of their background or academic ability. One particular instance that stands out in my memory was when a student in our class was going through a difficult personal situation. The student had missed several classes and was struggling to keep up with coursework. Instead of berating the student for the absences, the professor took the time to meet the student privately and offered her support.

Over the next few weeks, She worked with the student to come up with a plan to catch up on missed work and gave extensions on assignments when necessary. She also referred the student to campus resources for additional support. Despite the extra attention given to this student, the professor did not neglect the needs of the rest of the class. She continued to provide engaging lectures, offered individualised feedback, and encourage all of her students to strive for their best. Thanks to her kindness and support, the struggling student was able to get back on track and finish the semester strong.

Her actions showed me that a little bit of empathy and understanding can go a long way in helping someone overcome their challenges.

About the Author

Siddhant Shyamal can write screenplays, scripts, and stories that are humorous/emotional/spooky. His work experience includes writing scripts for a Youtuber for 10 months and ghostwriting a book. Meeting deadlines and ensuring client satisfaction have always been my top priorities.

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