Academics Wasn’t the Only Thing College Taught me
Reflections of a fresh graduate
As an uninitiated freshman, I was astounded by the variety of things one could do at university- from Tech-soc (inter-hostel technical competition) jugaads to highly competitive Lit-Soc (inter-hostel literary competition) quizzes to intensely spirited Schroeter (inter-hostel sports competition) games. I was hungry to consume every bit of this wide bouquet of activities that my college had to offer. It was soon clear to me that cultural and literary events were not my thing. So I chose to pursue sports and tech-related activities with escalated enthusiasm. Owing to the tight constraints I put myself under, almost all my days started at 5 am and continued till about midnight.
Throughout the semester, I enjoyed unconditional support from the faculty who encouraged me to pursue hobbies while ensuring that my academic responsibilities were not affected in any way. I looked up to the amazingly talented seniors who had the urge to do something good for the community, the drive to excel in whatever they chose to pursue, and yet had the time and patience to address questions and concerns of juniors like me. With that admiration and the constant company of an extremely supportive peer group, different layers of life at university unfolded.
The Academic Grind
Taking a common piece of advice from all my seniors, I was mentally clear that academic commitments came before any of my extra- and co-curricular activities. I tried my best to keep pace with the rigorous academic curriculum of the initial semesters. If not daily, I saw to it that backlogs were cleared on a weekly basis. As the semesters passed, I increasingly interacted with more profs outside the class and was amazed by their knowledge and expertise. Every interaction left me even more enchanted.
This made me realize that there is so much more than just meets the eye, and taught me to trust experience rather than perception.
A Dip in the Blues
Having been a competitive swimmer in my school days, I was quickly taken in by the institute aquatics team. The enduring times I have spent with the team, which proudly calls itself the “Madras Sharks”, have been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. It has let me experience the taste of victory as well as the sting of defeat.
As I played water-polo to represent our institute, I realized that the game is much more than merely a sport. The arena has been a constant source of learning for me, not only when it comes to superficial game tactics, but also about insightful lessons of teamwork, dedication, struggle and perseverance. It is astonishing to see how some of the simplest things have such a profound impact in your life.
When the goal is set and several things have to be let go, sacrifices are no longer seen as detriments. They seamlessly become part of the journey to the goal.
Tech — Tonic
By the end of the second semester I was already going through routine phase shifts, juggling between my sports and robotics activities each semester. My extra-curricular activities and positions of responsibility taught me a lot about multitasking and time management, while also helping me keep my sanity and serving as stress busters.
Through the Centre for Innovation (CFI), like everyone, I too went through the observe-learn-do-manage-lead phase. Climbing up the ladder in an organisation was a whole new experience as at each new stage, the same problem was viewed with different perspectives. For e.g., when I was new to the team, I hated the log book at the entrance of our robotics lab which made it mandatory for anyone entering to sign in. I hated that culture and wanted it removed immediately since who are we to monitor when people chose to come and leave. Only when I became more senior and interacted with the faculty advisors did I realize that having a consistent record of usage helped greatly in acquiring funding to the lab as alumni often wanted to see the impact of their donations.
As time went past, and as I met more and more simplistic and hardworking people there, CFI became dearer to me. I reached a stage where my sole motto was to give back to the place which had largely shaped me as an individual.
I wanted to leave the place in a better state than what it was when I entered, thus contributing to the eternally evolving eco-system we live in.
My mentors
Throughout my college life, seniors played an integral role in my decision making and I wouldn’t be what I am if not for those mentors who were more than willing to provide gyan whenever I faced difficult situations. They’re the reason I had the determination to solely pursue the things I’m passionate about. Once a decision was taken, looking back wasn’t allowed, since regretting was unprofessional, as they had told me. Besides, I have been extremely lucky to have had the company of some of the most amazing profs. Even now, whenever I go around distributing sweets to professors if there’s a celebration (a practice passed on to me by my parents), it is me who has to interrupt the conversation and look at the watch to indicate that it’s time!
Looking back
For each thing I have managed to achieve in the span of four years, there are always two to three things which remain an elusive dream. But my appetite for learning far exceeded the fear of failing and that motivating force kept me up and running. As I leave this prestigious institute with a heavy heart, I have nothing but respect for the people who played a role in creating this positive, open and nurturing environment. There is something very unique about this place. All one has to do is to be bold and experience it.
-written on the day I graduated from The Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
