My Journey Through A Women’s College: Lessons Learned
For everyone who asked me, “How does it feel to be around so many girls?”
It’s the night before our last exam. I open my WhatsApp and see the usually not-so-active group chat ‘LSR Unofficial 3B’ flooded with messages. I open it and see people crying — crying for the fact that it’s the last exam, the last day they’re going to see each other as a class, and the last day of pulling an all-nighter to read about Intizar Hussain, William Shakespeare, Anita Desai and what not. It’s the last day of relying on SOL notes for the exam (SOLs are like a godsend for students at DU during the exam season). The exam starts. It’s the month of scorching heat in Delhi, but no one seems to mind it today. It’s the last day of college, after all.
My college ended just 2 days ago. After the last exam, everyone gathered for a final meet-up and I saw people in my class hugging, crying, and telling each other how much they were going to miss each other’s company. Some left without saying anything; they were happy college was over. Then others couldn’t help but feel such a rush of emotions that they couldn’t stop crying. It was a day of many lasts. Many people moved on, and I am sure it was the last day of many friendships as well — some ending beautifully, while others on a bad note. But what remains common is that they all leave behind memories.
I still remember the first semester of college, which happened to be online because of COVID-19. I remember people interacting with each other in the group, sharing random things — friendships started then and there only. I witnessed the class divide into groups and also observed those groups falling apart as the semester progressed — once-close friends ignoring each other as if they had never met. I also remember myself being so under-confident in the initial semester that I never opened my camera and never spoke. During the initial semester, I remember not making any friends because I was an introvert. The transition from virtual to physical was not easy.
There were so many confident girls on the campus. They were confident in their bodies, confident in their speech, and assertive in their actions. However, it’s important to strike a balance. While some girls grew confident under good influences, others tried to fit into something they were not. They wore clothes they weren’t comfortable in — adjusting bra straps and stretching tight shorts, walking in painful high heels instead of comfortable sneakers, all to fit in with their group.
That’s the impact of attending a girls’ college. Yes, it gives you a confidence boost. Yes, as a girl, you can freely interact with other girls with judgment. No one cares if you sit on the floor to eat or talk while enjoying the cold breeze and good weather. No one judges you for taking a selfie with dogs (in my college, ‘sunshine’ was the most photogenic) even when you are getting late for class. And oh! Got your periods in between a class and forgot to bring a sanitary pad or tampon? The girls got your back. It creates an environment where you are less likely to be judged for your body hair, clothes, or body shape. Women take part in all the events — they get to do ‘masculine work’ without anyone questioning their femininity or masculinity. It’s the feeling of living life independently and carefree.
Every rose has its thorns — there are both positive and negative aspects to attending a women’s college. Alongside the support and camaraderie, there are feelings of insecurity, judgment, envy, jealousy, and sexism among the female students. Throughout my three years in college, I observed women supporting women, but I also witnessed jealousy, gossip, rumors, cruel comments, and body shaming. It’s interesting to note that these negative behaviors often exist behind the façade of seemingly good and helpful women. You come across many people, you get attached to some of them, and you develop deep friendships with a few. The actions of those ‘few’ individuals can have a profound impact, both positive and negative, during your college years.
Reflecting on my college experience, I realize that it was more than just a place of learning. It was a microcosm of life itself, filled with highs and lows, friendships and heartbreaks, laughter and tears. It marked a transition from girlhood to womanhood, providing invaluable lessons about self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. Above all, what stands out are the beautiful memories created together — late-night study sessions, spontaneous photo shoots with ‘sunshine’, heartfelt conversations, and friends bringing food from home for those living in PGs. College not only provided me with stories and lessons but also instilled a sense of camaraderie that will endure long after I’ve left those college gates.
I hope you enjoyed reading. Thank you!
