Always having lived under my parents’ protective shield, coming to Chennai to pursue my graduation was probably the most challenging decision I had to make. My parents always thought of me as the more naive and gullible one among me and my younger sister which also made this, the toughest decision they ever had to make. It wasn’t easy, of course. I would be leaving behind an entire world I had been part of for eighteen long years of my life, my parents would have to finally break open that shell they built around me for years and my sister too, would get lesser of her best friend at home. And what was all this for? Only so that I could build myself a career.
Fast forward to April 7th, 2016; I stood by my hostel gate at SRM Institute of Science and Technology to bid a final goodbye to my little family who I wouldn’t see for the next six months at least. As I saw them leave, all kinds of thoughts gushed into my system. Thoughts like, “Is this really happening?”, “Am I really on my own now?”, “What if I don’t fulfill their expectations?”, “Is this all worth it?”. With all these thoughts toying in my mind, I settled myself in my hostel. My roommates were already there since the day before and we went along pretty great at first. The biggest reality of making new friends in college is the fact that you barely even know them. They might not even belong from the same city as you. Making new relationships with them and respecting them for who they are is pretty much the first step to build a happy living environment. They say that the friends you make in school and college last a life time, but little did they know, some may also teach you a lesson for your lifetime. You might give in your all to keep them happy, but they’d still have something they might not like about you. And you know what? That’s okay. You don’t need to be liked for everything. You might feel the same about them. Nobody can be a perfect person, and again, that’s okay. Little fights don’t define relationships, in fact, they build you. They give you learning lessons, you might be right and you might as well be wrong. But isn’t that what life is all about? Learning and learning and more learning at every step.
Okay enough of the drama now! I don’t intend to bore my readers any longer. So let me cut to the chase and tell you exactly what a great learning experience this was for me, both academically and personally. But before diving straight into that, let’s take a quick flashback.
I remember the first time I walked through the infamous arch gate foreseeing an entire new world I was going to be part of. I remember the first time I entered hostel and wondered how I’d survive in a godforsaken place like this. I remember the first time I ate the mess food and missed my mother’s dal rice instead. I remember the first time I entered a class full of seventy five unknown faces and all I wanted was the day to end as soon as possible. But I also remember the times I walked through Tech Park lanes with my friends, spent hours at the college canteen, attended those lame movie nights on the stairway, bunked classes shamelessly saying, “It’s a long semester, pretty sure we can make make up!”, got classes cancelled like a pro and what not!
Through all the fun, laughter and memories, I’ve dreamt. I’ve set goals for myself. And expectations? Of course I’ve fulfilled them. What else was I here for? I’ve cried and made life decisions as much as I’ve laughed and joked about being twenty five years old and still not being able to figure out what to do next. I’ve adulted and also made immature choices, but the only constant through all this - I’ve learnt.
To the college that gave me a family away from home, you will be missed. To the nights of endless gossip, crazy hostel tales, 'group study' sessions, all nighters during exam preparations, meeting submission deadlines, scamming only get an extra cup of ice cream at the mess- everything is coming to an end. My college gave me more than I asked for and it feels like just yesterday when I was cribbing about waking up for an 8 a.m class with my roommates.
We’re way closer to adulting than we think we are and I can't thank my college enough for teaching me what it’s like to live in the real world with different people and their varied opinions. I couldn’t thank this place enough for making me and breaking me, only to make me strong.
Guess Papa’s little girl, ain’t so little anymore.
- Saakshi Agarwal
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