College life – some lessons learnt!

I’m just about to finish college and I must admit, it was nothing like what I thought it would be in the very beginning. I would be the world’s most optimistic person ever, if I were to say that I liked every single moment I spent there. But never the less, just like every senior we know, who go all I miss my college days, I hope to be no different.

From what I would call the most exciting memories of my college days, I decided to write this blog post; more as a - what not to do when you’re entering college, in case you haven’t guessed.

Tip 1#

Choose your college and course with care.

Students, after they finish school, entirely rely upon the counseling that the universities conduct to choose a college for themselves. With the increasing number of engineering colleges around, getting an engineering degree is not the holy grail of education anymore. The saddest thing that can happen to anybody is, being left with the option of choosing a course which you have no idea about just because it’s the only course that’s available for you in a popular college. Instead of doing something that you don’t have a clue about, explore your options and see what best fits you and your interests; because the national rank of the college is not going to help you at all when you get arrears and don’t know what to do in life. So I’m pretty sure that you want to spend the next four years of your life loving your college rather than wishing you did.

Tip2#

Don’t expect it to be anything like what you see in the movies

Try not to be influenced by misleading cinemas. In reality, you will actually have to attend classes. Not just for the attendance, but to learn some stuff too. I mean, if you don’t listen in class, you’re going to have to listen to some other fellow student teach the same stuff to you, if you really want to finish the paper and move on that is. You can actually save yourself some time and being stereotyped as one of the I-need-help-in-studies-kinda person too. To all the boys, being the rough guy who doesn’t listen or respect the teachers, is not going to get anywhere near being the hero. And girls, do NOT be flattered by the attention you tend to get in college; it doesn’t mean you’re pretty, it just means, you’re with a pack of guys who are desperate. You’re going to be with a completely new set of people and its like life is offering you another chance to be a better person, so use it wisely.

Tip3#

Have a clue!

If you are clueless when you join your college, you are most likely to remain that way even when you graduate. College gives you the exposure to a lot of things which you may not have had in school. So use them, give it a try. See if you like it. Still no clue? Then start looking at your hobbies. See what makes you different from the majority of people around you.

Tip4#

The future

Remember that the job you get after college would rarely be based upon what you studied. To major in your own field, you will be asked to study for a completely alien exam, the portions for which would have no role in your research. You’ll have to study for your assessments, end semesters and this exam; but in the end, your admit into masters program will depend upon a summer internship that you missed!

Tip5#

Don’t do things that you will regret in future

This is probably my favorite tip. Always beware of what you do. I often make mistakes and then give ridiculous excuses. I tell you this, you do not want to be ashamed of your actions later in life. Being responsible for what you do is one possible solution to mistakes of this sort. But in general, no one can go back on anything; you just have to live with it the rest of your life. 

Well, easy for me to say. On a second thought, college would be boring if you don't make any mistake at all. It would be the fooling around and getting caught moments that you will always remember, not what was taught in class. So, if you could balance work and play, and have a mind of your own, you're sure to have a wonderful time in college!

Being the elder one

10 reasons why you should never be the elder sibling

1)    You are often expected to set an example for your little brother/sister.

2)    You have to get used to the idea that you’re not your parents’ favorite anymore. I mean they are smaller and so, cuter.

3)    You are asked to pick up and drop them whenever and wherever required.

4)    You have to let them use your shampoo and conditioner.

5)    You struggle hard to get permission for things from your parents but your siblings simply have to ask to get permission for the same things.

6)    You always have to adjust just because you’re old.

7)    You can’t cry in the streets to make your dad get you a cell phone while the younger one gets whatever she/he wants by crying.

8)    You should watch your brother/sister copy you in more ways than you can imagine and then get yelled at for spoiling them of all things!

9)    You will have to listen to the never ending crap of what happened that day in their school.

10)                       If you are exceptionally unlucky, you might end up having a younger sibling who is smarter or prettier than you. In that case, she/he is going to make things difficult for you all your life.

There is sooooooooooo much more but these made to the top ten.

In most cases, the younger sibling is better than the elder one in some way. This could be a possible illusion. Parents do not compare the kids mostly. But friends and relatives do. This puts a lot of pressure on the weaker kid, which is unhealthy.

Annoying things that can happen to an elder sister

Incidents

You tell your sister something and tell her don’t tell anybody, you can expect that on the news channel in an hour.

They never understand the seriousness of a situation. You happen to go to a funeral with your younger sis, you must be prepared to answer the most awkward questions from them in the most awkward place ever.

They randomly walk into the neighborhood and when they see guests there, they ask if these people always home to eat.

When your sibling is as tall as you, people ask if you are twins! Seriously, that sucks when you have an age difference of 6 freaking years!

Sometimes, you will be asked to take your sibling along when you go out with your friends. That is so far the worst punishment that I have ever come across. Parents do that to ensure that the younger kid doesn’t feel alone or whatever. But you have to watch your bro/sis cause all the possible damage to your image while he/she soon becomes the fun element of your gang.

Younger siblings don’t follow any cues that you give them. They do it purposely. Do not fall for the innocent smiles. One mistake that I’ve seen very many elder siblings do is that, they tend to treat their bro/sis like a friend. When you think they’re a friend, they act like a total kid and complain about us. Some even go to extend of blackmailing us with the info that they got from us.

You get something new and you wish to keep it safely; your sibling who doesn’t like the word “safe” would make sure that it gets wrecked in a couple of minutes.

Your sibling looking better than you is one thing. Being asked to admit that to her EVERYDAY is quite another. There has not been a day when my sister hadn’t asked me that. At rough times, I’ll have to watch her say stuff like she looks like Aishwarya Rai in ROBOT.

Your sibling can say that she wants to be Miss Universe someday. That’s okay, she’s a kid, and she can say what she feels. People even go all she is so cute when she does that. But you, a college student, you think you can tell people that you actually want to be an actress and get away with that. Oh no no no. That would be sappa scene.

Last but the most important one; just because your sister is an overtly matured Miss. Know it all, you will be scolded for being dumb (innocent is more like it).

      Though all the above incidents are so totally true and not even a wee bit exaggerated, there are times when siblings are not so bad too. I mean, you have company ALL THE TIME. And there is a lot of entertainment guaranteed. Your sibling would probably know you well enough to write a book on you. You learn to adjust to things. And most importantly, you have the best fun with them. You rock shaks!! J

Shoes

You’re a person who usually wears sneakers. That doesn’t necessarily mean you are all for adventure. Maybe you don’t have a choice. Maybe, nothing else fits your foot. Maybe you are not a high heels kind of person. It could be anything. But it defines you. You’ve gotten yourself adapted to the feel of it. The rough texture makes you feel like you have a grip in life. You feel strong and confident. You know that your sneakers are not going to wore out for atleast six months. It is not gonna let you down when you need it the most.

But, don’t we all want more. Life throws Gucci boots on your face. You look at it. You like it. Everybody wants them. And you have it. It’s all yours. You wear them around; you love the look on your friends’ faces when they see you in your new shoes. You even try to show off a little bit. You start hitting on guys who like girls in high heels. Things change. You think you are happy.

Life goes on. You’re new shoe bites. You hate walking in them. Slowly, you start hating walking itself. You become fat and ugly. You miss your comfortable sneakers. When you go shopping, you stop and stare at sneakers and wonder if you could ever be how you were earlier. Your old friends don’t talk to you anymore. They think your life is too perfect. Your new friends soon figure out that you are faking it and that you don’t belong there. You realize that the cute guy might like your high heels, but will not put up with all the drama you have in your life.

Dear readers, if you have managed to understand the metaphor, kudos to you. If you find yourself in a similar situation, then what you could possibly do is, wait. Wait till you are bold enough to dump your shoes and run. Just get out of it. You really thought it was worth all the trouble didn’t you, you silly girl. It is okay if people think you’re complicated. Its okay to look old fashioned, if you’re comfortable in it. But beware, the next time you go shoe shopping, choose it with care.