College calling!

Garima Upadhyay Rawat

If you are reading this, chances are that you have made it into some college (Congratulations) and can't wait to begin the college chapter of your life. So, here is some advice for those of you who want to smoothen out the transition from school to college. While there will be some very apparent changes (goodbye uniforms), others will happen at a sub-conscious level (fear of ragging, peer pressure). Here is some gyaan from seniors, who tell you how they trumped the battle!

You either love or hate college; there are no grey areas here. While many can't wait for colleges to start, others are afraid of the ragging, dealing with students from different backgrounds and handling an entirely new way of life very different from school. Tips for survival are plenty, but ensure that you follow the ones' which will help you settle down well in college.

Prepare for it!

Go beyond building your daily college trousseau, and pay some attention to how you intend to project yourself in college. If you want to change something about yourself, this is your chance. Since you will move in a new circle, you have the liberty to act what you think. Speak to your cousins who are in college and understand the differences. Be prepared for various experiences, and don't let the college experience catch you off-guard.

Says Nikita Goyal, a second-year student of BCom (hons) at Hansraj College, "After school, I started interacting with my seniors, teachers and relatives to understand college life better. I also joined a few groups on Facebook which gave me an idea of what college culture was all about. For most people, first month of college is all about shopping for the right clothes, shoes and styles... they don't think beyond that and feel depressed when studies begin. Students should acquaint themselves better with college life before getting into the grind."

Confidence is the key

Don't let people take you for a ride. If you believe in something, have the courage to voice it. This will solve half of your problems and will also help you create your space in college. "One of the first things that I experienced during my initial days in Delhi is that the attitude of Delhiites is very different towards people from the north-east. Most people from the rickshawallahs and autowallahas would take me for a ride and overcharge even for small distances. Initially, I obliged, but later I started raising my voice. Confidence gives you the power and the trust in yourself that nobody can fool around with you," says Ainisha Ashraf, a first-year student of history at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, who has moved to the Capital from Guwahati.

Be cool in your own way!

Right attitude can help you take care of most problems in college like peer pressure, performing well in academics and balancing extracurricular activities. Be at peace with yourself and don't submit to peer pressure. If you don't like something, simply say no. Adds Ashraf, "I am proud of myself, my choices and my preferences. I won't change them just because people around me want me to. If I wore salwaar-kurtis in my hometown, why should I slip into a pair of hot pants just because others do? I can be cool in my own way, too."

Build a strong network

Friendships last you a lifetime, and college is one place where you make friends for life. Understand that while it is important to stand by your ideals, it won't be right to not mingle with fellow students. In the initial days, you should introduce yourself, speak to and hang out with as many people as possible. If you lose this opportunity now, you will not get a second chance. If you have doubts, talk to seniors, they are your best guides in the campus. You can do it the way Debayan Choudhuri, a first-year student at the College of Vocational Studies did it. For him, a desire to know everyone was instrumental in establishing a comfort zone in college. "I made it a point to introduce myself to people I didn't know. Now, I know many people and life's much better than before."

Seniors swear by

Attendance is important: Make sure you are on track as far as attendance is concerned.

Pay attention to your assignments: Don't take them lighly, because you are marked on them and also because if you keep piling your work, you will lose time to prepare for first-semester exams.

Be responsible with freedom: With freedom comes responsibility. Fine, that you are allowed to wear whatever you want. But maintain the sanctity of college. Wear comfortable clothes which look smart and feel nice.

Say no: If you don't like something, make it a point that you say no and don't do things just because everyone else is doing it. Stay away from herd mentality!