How my first week of college felt like freedom

This wouldn't be a regular weekly write up if I didn't write it dramatically. So here goes. The prospect of the start of college had me partly excited and partly apprehensive. And not the manageable “I-have-to-get-root-canal-work-done” kind of apprehension. No sir. I felt like my heart had been replaced by an anchor and I was sinking.

So on the very sultry morning of July 20 I made my way to college. The instructions given by my parents were drilled into my brain by that time as a result of constant repetition. Watch out for pickpockets, give a ring on reaching college; the usual. On reaching Gargi College, I joined the confused throng of freshers near the auditorium. Then began our wait like a flock of sheep expecting to be shepherded. Eventually, we were all herded into the auditorium (I'm going to stick with the cattle comparisons for as long as I can).

The first day was orientation day. After we all settled in, we were greeted by the friendly faces of our seniors, welcoming us warmly. That was followed by an address by the principal, Dr Shashi Tyagi, a very sweet and motherly figure, who introduced us to the college. She spoke about the college, curriculum and various relevant issues like smoking under peer pressure and taking drugs. Performances by various societies of the college followed. The Western music society which performed acapella (singing sometimes accompanied with imitation of instruments) stood out most of all. I won't be overstating if I said that the girls had voices like angels. A second orientation, but this time just involving the concerned department, introduced us to the professors and the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).

The rest of the week saw a mixture of introductory lectures and auditioning for societies. We mostly experienced the core subjects of CBCS, however, and the electives are yet to commence. I'm certainly excited to get started with it since whatever little I've heard of it, makes it seem promising. I hope to contribute a positive elaboration on this, in the next entry.

A lot of realisations have set in with the end of the first week. College is what one makes of it. Unlike the spoon-feeding that schools indulge in, the system in college expects one to manage all issues, whether it is procuring books or disciplining oneself. The freedom offered is immense. While school kept one on a tight leash, college practically cuts off the metaphorical rein and chucks it in the bin while you hop free.

As Lavon Curtis said, "For almost 18 years you're taught to sit down, shut up, and raise your hand. Then you have to decide what you're going to do for the rest of your life."