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Note Taking for Dummies

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Here’s a guide to making notes that you can easily learn and remember, with methodology that comes with the stamp of an Ivy League university.
I recently had the opportunity of seeing an Ivy-League student study, which basically is a translation of; my overachieving cousin spent a week at my place. He types out his notes, converts them into audio books, then listens to and reads them
at the same time. He promises maximum retention using this technique, a technique passed on to him by his university seniors.
Sounds like a stretch for DU Semester exams, and you’re lucky, you probably do not need to use this technique to score well in your exams. However,  his note-making technique successfully caught my eye; it’s quick, easy and effective. Many times it happens that the incoherent jumble of words that you call notes resemble tangled spaghetti. You struggle to remember exactly what the professor meant or how these ideas connect. It’s hard to study effectively when your own notes don’t make sense to you.
The Cornell Notes system (also Cornell note-taking system, Cornell method, or Cornell way) is a note-taking system devised in the 1940s by Walter Pauk, an education professor at Cornell University. Pauk advocated its use in his best-selling book How to Study in College.
The process is pretty basic, and it’s always better to do this simultaneously with classes, but it’s never too
late to start.
Step 1: Record: Write legibly, and use shorthand. If you learn better by doodling/drawing or if you make
connections through tactile learning (such as something you saw, smelled, or felt during an experiment),
feel free to write these down
Step 2: Reduce: Eliminate the redundant material: this is where your seniors and past question papers help
Step 3: Recite: Oral cues always work
Step 4: Reflect/Summarize: Glancing over your notes does not really work. Make sure you’re concentrating.
Step 5: Review: this is a way to aid comprehension

So, here it is, the best and most meticulous way to take notes as a college student. It is organised and effective and will ensure that you are not left with a mess of illegible scribbles. Another simple tip on making notes more comprehensible is using coloured pens/ and or sticky notes. Different coloured pens help demarcate different subjects, and sticky notes help in avoiding clutter in your primary texts. Taking these simple techniques into account can take your notes to the next level, and help make preparation easy. Not all, but even incorporating bits and pieces of the above-mentioned tips, will save you a lot of time, that otherwise would have been wasted in figuring out whether that is an ‘i’ or an ‘e’.

Here’s wishing everyone successful note making, may the study gods have mercy on you and aid your note-making skills, and do not forget, the more organised your notes, the more likely you are to even attempt to study them.
For a more comprehensive guide for Cornell Notes, visit (http://lsc.cornell.edu/notes.html)

 

Feature Image Credits: Melbourne High School Library
Nikita bhatia
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

Supreme Court of India 2017-18:A Glorious Term

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These are tumultuous times for the Supreme Court (SC). Despite this, the past year has been dramatically successful for India’s Liberal Majority. Liberalism here must not be confused with ‘outright left wing progression’ or glorification of ‘western ideals’, but the plain and simple primacy of the Individual over the Collective.

The structure of the Indian Constitution was primarily built upon the ideals of its British counterpart. Some clauses of our constitution date back to the late 19th century, and this is clearly evident in the dogmatic, invasive and almost oppressive nature of some laws that govern this 21st century democracy.
In the past year, the Judiciary of India has ventured to instill the public’s dwindling faith in democratic ideals, and some unprecendted judgments have been witnessed. The most celebrated of these was that of August 24, 2017, where a 9 Judge Constitutional Bench unanimously ruled that the Right To Privacy is a Fundamental Right. 2017 witnessed government and private institutions mandating Aadhar Cards for basic functionality, which caused public distress over the invasive nature of UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), its collection of biometric data and its transparency and security. This judgement came as sigh of relief to millions of Indians, albeit temporarily. In September 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme and Act, with conditions. A 4:1 majority of a five Judge Constitutional bench concurred that Aadhar “serves a bigger public interest”. Even though the scope of influence of UIDAI has been drastically decreased, many civil rights activists, rallying behind the sole dissentee Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, deemed this ruling as an illusion of liberty; because Aadhar still remains mandatory for Pan Card and Ration Card registrations, that are essential for one to function in Indian Society.
Decreasing gender bias and discrimination were prioritized on the agenda of the SC under Dipak Misra’s Chief Justiceship, as was discernable in judgements pertaining to Triple Talaq, adultry and age of consent for marital sexual intercourse. The Supreme Court of India declared the practice of Triple Talaq as unconstitutional by a 3:2 majority in a 5 Judge Constitutional Bench.The court said the practice is  ‘unconstitutional’, ‘arbitrary’ and ‘not part of Islam. “Finally I feel free today. I have the order that will liberate many Muslim women,” said Shayara Bano, the petitioner of Shayara Bano Vs Union of India and Others. Amid outrage among a small fraction of India’s muslim community, that tried to justify this patriarchal practice under the veil of ‘religion’ , the court upheld its commitment to women’s rights with grace. Same was the case when a two Judge Bench of Supreme Court held that the age of consent for sexual intercourse was increased to 18 from 15 in cases of married couples. This judgement was an amendment to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code. Last week, a five Judge Constitutional Bench ruled unanimously that Section 497, a 158-year-old law, that criminalised consensual sexual relations between a man and a married woman without the consent of her husband, was unconstitutional. “Adultery can be grounds for civil issues including dissolution of marriage but it cannot be a criminal offence … adultery might not be the cause of an unhappy marriage, it could be the result of an unhappy marriage,” said Chief Justice Misra while reading out the verdict.
Enshrining another insegregable facet of individual liberty, article 377 of the Indian Constituion, that criminalized homosexuality, was revoked. A 5 Judge Constitutional bench unanimously ruled that India’s LGBTQ community has the same sexual rights as heterosexual in India. ‘The right to live with dignity has been recognized. Sexual orientation is a natural phenomenon determined by biology and science. Any discrimination on this basis is unconstitutional,’ said Dipak Misra.
The court also attempted to safeguard individual identity from political propaganda and sensationalist manipulation. It held that seeking votes in the name of religion, caste or community amounted to corrupt practice and consequentially, candidature or office of an elected representative may stand void.
Our society still has a long way to go, constitutional enshrinement doesn’t guarantee proper implementation, and sexism and homophobia continue to influence a large part of Indian populations. Yet, amid all this, the Supreme Court has delivered judgements with profound implications for the Indian society.

 

Feature Image credits: Deccan Herald
Nikita Bhatia
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Two brothers shot dead by Swami Shraddhanand College Student

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A beating of a BA Programme student took an ugly turn when the same student ended up embroiled in a double murder case.

Swami Shraddhanand College is a humble little education institution of the University of Delhi, located in the northwestern part of the capital. However, times have been harsh as a student from the college stands accused for the murder of two brothers in Haryana.

Every such killing is based on a motive. The motive, in this case, was the common pick, revenge. Apparently, 20-year-old Anshu who was pursuing a degree of BA Programme from the abovementioned college was beaten black and blue by the brothers in his native village. Apart from physical pain, Anshu also had to face the spite and laughs of the villagers. Residing in Sonepat, the police recently apprehended the murderer in Najafgarh.

For finishing off the two targeted “Haryanvi Gracchus brothers”, Anshu sought the help of five others, who were apprehended before by the Haryana Police. A 7.65 mm pistol was the weapon of choice for this coordinated attack.

The original target was Aashish who had first thrashed Anshu, inciting anger and revenge in him. Things took an unexpected turn when Aashish’s brother Himanshu jumped into the scene to protect him, which ended with both the brothers being shot to death at close range.

After a series of interrogations by the Dwarka Police, media received the statement that Anshu had turned to the dark side while studying in the presence of many anti-social elements in his milieu. This along with many such similar incidents of students being involved in heinous activities raises the concern for curbing hooliganism and associated evils, at least in campuses, where students come with the hope for flowing with the waves of success and not drowning in pools of blood.

Feature Image Credits: Swami Shraddhanand College

Shaurya Thapa

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DUB Speak

The Best Pocket Friendly Milkshakes in Satya Niketan

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A food haven for starving South Delhi students, Satya Niketan has various hidden (and some not so hidden) gems in its vicinity, offering a wide variety of cold coffees and milkshakes. 

 A delicious and filling snack, the milkshake is one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to satiate a starving belly and beat the scorching Delhi summers. A constant for South Campus college students, Satya Niketan (better known as ‘Satya’) is a lane frequented by most, owing to its abundance of affordable eating joints, and vibrant college crowd. 

DU Beat brings to you a list of places in Satya Niketan that offer the best milkshakes and cold coffee, without pinching your pocket.

  • Sandwedges

Recently opened in March, Sandwedges soon gained popularity among students for its cheap Sandwiches, fries and milkshakes. It is a two-story, air-conditioned place that offers plenty seating area, making it a popular and convenient spot for students to catch a break between classes. The Classic Cold Coffee and Oreo Shake are highly recommended and are a must try.

Price of Cold Coffee -Rs 40

Price of Oreo Shake- Rs 70

  • High On Burgers

A quaint shop right beside the main Satya Square, this brightly painted cafe is a hit among the college crowd. Despite its lack of space, the place is a popular spot for coffee, the Cold Coffee being a major crowd pleaser. The perfect blend of ice cream and coffee gives it the consistency of a shake, making it the perfect drink to satiate sweet cravings.

Price of Cold Coffee- Rs 60

  • Bistro

Both South and North Campus students alike can vouch for the credibility of Bistro. It is known for its wide variety of milkshakes, coffees, and other beverages, making decision making a foodie’s worst nightmare. The Cold Coffee and the Chocolate Shake come highly recommended and are must try’s especially for those with an undying love for chocolate.

Price of Cold Coffee- Rs 50

Price of Chocolate Shake- Rs 70

  • Chai Latte

The new kid on the block, Chai Latte offers pasta at prices that are hard to ignore. Apart from the delectable and reasonable pasta, it offers amazing milkshakes, a personal favorite being the KitKat milkshake and the Brownie milkshake. It has an outdoor seating area where students can sit and devour their favorite pasta and milkshakes.

  • Delhi Juice and Shakes

Delhi Juice and Shakes serves as a reminder of a time when cafes weren’t the norm. A small shack,it offers milkshakes at unbelievably cheap rates. It is a quick way to quench your thirst between classes, without the added guilt of having a done some serious damage to your wallet.

Price of a standard milkshake (any flavour, small)- Rs 30

 

Feature Image Credits: whatsuplife.in

 

Anoushka Singh

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NSUI National Secretary Accused of Submitting Fake Admission Documents

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DUSU Elections this year have been more like a saucy Bollywood film, full of twists, turns and a more than adequate amount of ‘masala’. The controversy surrounding  Ankiv Baisoya’s fake degree had barely been forgotten, when a new accusation was made by a PTI report regarding NSUI National Secretary, Akshay Kumar, allegedly submitting fake documents to fetch admission into the university’s PhD programme, in the Department of Buddhist Studies.
It is said that the matter was brought to light this January when the Department decided to carry out a verification of documents of all the students who secured admissions into the PhD course. According to an official who requested his identity to remain concealed, Kumar allegedly filed fake mark-sheets for the Post Graduate programme in order to secure a position in the PhD course. Apparently, the candidate, while securing admission in March 2017, submitted mark-sheets issued by Manav Bharti University in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. Subsequent to verification from the University, it was revealed that the mark-sheets are counterfeit and the University denies issuing them. An FIR has been filed against the candidate at the Maurice Nagar Police Station on March 16, 2018. According to the official, decisions of such nature are not taken in haste, since they have the
potential to damage the career as well as the image of the candidate. Hence, a thorough procedure has to be compiled, which has been taken care of. The case shall now be forwarded to the Departmental Research Committee, from where it shall be forwarded to the Board of Research Studies.
The NSUI, on the other hand, though accepts that the FIR had been filed, states that the University failed to prove its allegations against their candidate. They feel that fuel is being added to the fire of this incident because the NSUI brought to light the fact that the documentation submitted by the new-betrothed DUSU President, Ankiv Baisoya are counterfeit. Ankiv’s power is not being disembowelled because the Varsity knows that if they do that any time before two months have elapsed, they will have to make the runner-up candidate the President, or carry out re-elections. On the contrary, if they do that after this stipulated period, the Vice-President, Shakti Singh shall be crowned the President, thereby retaining the position with the party.
In all of this, the student fraternity remains moot as such incidents expose them to surreal dilemmas. There’s a sense of suspicion amongst the voters since they cannot digest the frailty of the candidates. This has posed serious trust issues amongst them and as a result of this, even the otherwise “pure” candidates shall bear the brunt.

Feature Image credits: Hindustan Times

Aashish Jain
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Arts & Culture

‘To Travel Is To Live’: Celebrating World Tourism Day

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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

There has been a lot said and written about the term “travelling”, almost always glorifying it to the point that the everyday man believes it to be the perfect way to “find yourself”. The one thing I personally like about it is, the fact that travelling can mean so many different things to so many different people.

If looked at closely, travelling has always been a part of history, from voyages leading to colonialism to communities spreading to different parts of the world, it has been the foundation of the world as we know it today. While it is only recently that it has been connoted to a specific abstract purpose, travelling was only meant to fulfil a certain materialistic purpose earlier. It is the advent of modernity that has brought on the philosophical quest of this generation to ‘find themselves’ and the ‘true meaning of life’.

As an individual, my belief stands strong in people stepping out of their houses and venturing into unknown territories because this provides the opportunity to step out of one’s comfort zone, and face a world not quite familiar to oneself. It gives one space to look around and absorb the beauty the world has to offer, along with the opportunity to interact with new people in foreign lands and break away from the mundanity of city life. 

Travelling does not have to be about spending huge sums of money on luxurious trips, rather, ideally, it should be about exploring places and cultures never seen before, even if that means venturing to a place less frequented, like Old Delhi. Be it family, friends, or your significant other, pick a partner and gear up for an adventure of a lifetime, because life is short, and this World Tourism Day, do not forget to see a little more of it, after all, the world is your Oyster.

 

Feature Image credits: delhiphototour.com

Anoushka Singh

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Delhi School of Journalism

How Most Indian Colleges Fail to Provide a Comprehensive Prospectus

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The recent Delhi School of Journalism protests have successfully managed to shine a spotlight on the inadequacies of the college’s administration. The protest centred around the main issue of the lack of proper infrastructural facilities provided by the college. This ongoing unrest has sparked a conversation about the insufficiencies and/or misleading tendencies of most of the prospectuses provided by Indian colleges. 

Vibrant in colour, with crisp edges, and fanciful words printed on glossy paper, the average Indian college brochure is a folding of ambiguous, and sometimes misleading information. The main aim of a prospectus is to provide information to prospective students regarding; courses, campus life, faculty, and co-curricular activities etc. making it an extremely important first step for students joining the college. The University of Delhi provides an online prospectus to students on its website, and hard copy of the same on a payment basis, during the student admission process. As the number of private institutions and universities are increasing in number, their attractive brochures and world-class infrastructure are heavily promoted, making it hard to keep a tab on how real this promotion is, and whether it can actually live up to all its attractive promises. With the recent protests undertaken by the students of the Delhi School of Journalism, it is imperative to understand why there is such a parity between what the college prospectuses showcase and what is actually provided. 

“I remember during the time of selecting colleges, we were very particular on getting a firsthand opinion from an already going student there instead of completely relying on the prospectus and counsellors because we wanted to be sure ten-fold before stepping into the right college.” Says Nikki Chaudhary, a second-year student of English honours in Maitreyi College.

A major complaint which Indian institutions in the education sector face is, the improper utilization of resources, that is, regarding equipment provided in terms of labs, or basic facilities in the classrooms. There may be faulty projectors or air-conditioners which hardly work. “Our fans also work super slow, and it gets very tough to manage especially in the warmer seasons”, adds Nikki Chaudhary. While ventilation is a major problem in a majority of Indian schools and colleges, there have been multiple reports on behalf of the students wherein the ACs are just a show-piece in the classrooms, as they hardly work.

“Before getting into DU for psychology, my other options were MU and Christ University. I feel that the prospectus was in itself very high and beaming, but the condition of the labs was a dismay. It is just sad to see how misleading the brochures can get.” Says Gargi Singh, a first-year student of Psychology Honors in Kamala Nehru College.

While the condition of our western counterparts may be slightly similar, Tim Pippert, a sociologist at Augsburg College in Minnesota reveals, “Diversity is something that is being marketed… They’re trying to sell a campus climate, they’re trying to sell a future. Campuses are trying to say, “If you come here, you’ll have a good time, and you’ll fit in”. This being said, a lot of the college prospectuses in foreign universities mainly focus on areas such as campus life and try to project unrealistically positive scenarios.  

Campus tours/ Open days usually start before, or during, the admission process and help students determine whether the college is what they are looking for. Then again, the way admissions take place in western universities is quite different from how they are conducted here. Moreover, with the rising number of scams in the education sector, the ingenuity of educational institutions is constantly tested. 

The University Grants Commission website is a good place to start while researching on any educational institute. It lists every educational institution and from time to time releases reports regarding admission processes etc. As of now, a list of twenty-two self-styled unrecognized universities {a few still under investigation) has been released, so that students, as well as parents, can be better informed against misinformation and malpractices. 

 

Feature Image Credits: The Wall Street Journal 

 

Avnika Chhikara

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Arts & Culture

Hidden Gems of Poetry: An Ode to the Lesser Known Poets

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While poetry today has seen a drastic growth in terms of its audience in India, we trace down some of the lesser-known poets, whose words mimic magic.

When you hear the word poetry, your mind automatically imagines the romantic verses of Keats or the heavenly meadows of Coleridge’s poetics, often leading us to turn a blind eye to some of the lesser publicized, but equally lyrical, poets of the world.

Here is a collection of some unexplored gems, that are must-reads for those with an inevitable hunger for classic poetry. 

1. Anne Michaels

This Canadian poet and novelist has works translated in more than forty-five countries. One of her most amazing works is “All we saw”, which is a short collection of poems dealing with treats and abrupt desires, love, death and the intimacy and vastness of the connection between two people. Another of her highly acclaimed works includes “The weight of oranges” which bagged her the Commonwealth Poetry Prize for the Americas. Her work is easy to read and comprehend, and at the same time has a beautiful foreplay of words.

2. Kobayashi Issa

One of the most prolific Japanese poets of the early nineteenth century, Kobayashi’s works are now translated into English, his works are a deep reflection of the miseries he faced in his life, and how through his travels he gained enlightenment about Buddhist philosophy and incorporating it into his life. His poems are short and crisp, some of the famous ones being, “even with insects”, “all the time I pray to Buddha” etc. among many others.

3. Joy Goswami

Joy Goswami is a Bengali poet, and one of the most influential Bengali poets of his generation and a recipient of many literary awards. Some of his best work includes poems like, “Hieroglyph”, “Wars march into the past “among many. He has also won the Sahitya Akademi Award, 2000 for his anthology “pagalo tomara sange”.

4. Emilio Prados

Emilio Prados was a Spanish poet and editor. Some of his best work is now translated into English, for example, “final shadow”, “enclosed garden”, “next to the stream”, etc. among many more.

5. Meena Kandasamy

This Chennai based poet, writer and translator is a published author and has found her poetry in some of the most reputed poetry forums. She expresses the aim of her poetry as that of sending a social message, focusing on her struggles of being a Dalit woman living under the shadows of caste oppression, discrimination and gender relations.

One of her most amazing works is her version of “the seven stages”.

6. Nabanita Kanungo

A teacher-poet hailing from Assam, her debut collection of poems, “A map of Ruins”, highlights her love for her hometown Shillong, and the memories she holds on to from the years gone by.

A sense of nostalgia prevails in her work which attracts readers.

7. Ingeborg Bachmann

She was an Austrian poet and writer, who has published different plays and poetry, expressing her reflective thoughts on languages, and the mix of cultures she has experienced throughout her lifetime.

Some of her works are, “Darkness spoken: The collected poems of Ingeborg Bachmann”, “Die gestundete Zeit”, etc. among others.

These are just a few among the many gifted writers who scintillate their audience through lyric and rhyme. Their poetry is simple and versatile, yet brilliant enough to make you want to come back for more.

 

Feature Image Credits:  creemore.com

 

Avnika Chhikara

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DUSU Elections 2018

The Democracy is Broken: Scenes from the Vote Counting Center

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The din of electoral sloganeering has been replaced with the protests about EVM tampering. We shouldn’t worry about the noise though, it will die soon. We should be bothered about how the controversies around elections have been normalised. 

On the 13th of September 2018, results of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections were to be declared. It was a big day not just for the candidates or for those who cover student politics, but also for big media houses. It was one of those occasions when the University of Delhi (DU) becomes important. The polls more or less reflect the mood of national politics, and it’s believed that those who rule DUSU will end up ruling the Parliament. A huge crowd of media vans, supporters, and police were deployed at the Community Center, GTB Nagar. The crowd, comprising overwhelmingly of men, competed with roaring slogans as a show of strength. They changed the names of their male leaders, but not one slogan was raised for the female candidates. You can’t help but notice the glaring absence of women in these types of public spaces.

A few days before the elections, Professor V.K. Kaul, Chief Election Officer, DU, published an appeal to the students of DU. Those, like us, who did read it realised that it was a copy of the last year’s appeal. The letter said 2017 in the body of its content. “Your decision to support only those candidates who respect the rules governing elections will go a long way in helping the University conduct the elections as per the law,” said the appeal. In its stoic language the appeal makes a great point, but let’s not forget where it is coming from. The DU administration constantly fails to conduct peaceful polls. During the course of voting, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), whose own genesis is debatable, fails, the code of conduct is violated, and the candidates are never held accountable for their deeds.

The DU Election Commission doesn’t care, its appeal is a farce. After the initial hiccup, where one EVM was seen as faulty, the counting began again. A sole media person, closely followed by the representatives of political parties, would come out and give the latest update about the current vote count. The fact that these updates were greedily given and consumed after every 15 minutes shows how media considers trivial information important. By egging on the anticipation of results, it fails to focus on questions like, “Why are the representatives coming out and declaring the latest count to their waiting supporters when it’s against the code of conduct?” The fueling of passions can any second lead to a violent confrontation, then why is this prompting being allowed? We spotted a SFI candidate trying to get signals in spite of the jammers. I asked her, “Has your vote share increased?” She pointedly declined to comment and said they can’t discuss anything about it while counting is going on. I admire her faith in the rule of law.

The policemen stand lazily and gossip. You will notice those who come from the North-East huddled together, the female officers talking in a close group, their demarcation being obvious. “Will they protect us if the barricades break?” we wondered. At one point we discussed the exit strategy in case they broke loose. Detailed scanning of the location was quickly followed by a decision to meet at a designated point in case we get separated. Live coverage had become an occupational hazard. This is what the counting of mere 44% of voter turnout takes.

Soon enough, the results were declared. A loud public celebration broke; we scooted after clicking the generic pictures before things got messy. While dogging the rowdy celebrations, I recalled what our Editor, Kinjal Pandey, wrote in the last editorial, “DUSU politics was never too ugly, we just neglected what was ours for too long.” We deserved this, congratulations.

Feature Image Credits: The Hindustan Times

Niharika Dabral

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Sadhguru at SRCC- an Ode to Nebulous Direction

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Yogi Sadhguru paid a visit to SRCC recently, as a part of his campaign titles ‘Youth and Truth’. An analysis of the advice given by innumerable motivational speakers in The University of Delhi reaped interesting outcomes.

Sadhguru, a renowned yogi, mystic, and founder of the NGO Isha Foundation, was at Shri Ram College of Commerce on 4th September 2018. The biker and English-speaking guru was accompanied by his entourage, following a suspension of lectures and extensive police barricading, extending from SRCC till Patel Chest Institute (bit much for a yogi, perhaps?). Contrary to popular belief, he wasn’t there to preach, and true to the essence of his campaign, ‘Youth and Truth’, his session included but wasn’t limited to, genuine advice about goal setting, relationships, confidence building and parenting. Once the initial aura of celebrity had subdued, and snapchat stories had been uploaded, people started to really listen. This was probably succeeded by the realization that the speaker hardly partook in original preachings, instead, like most motivational speakers, he simply validated already existing feelings and knowledge. This is a common occurrence, and it is this validation and connection that students seek from motivational talks/speakers, in the University of Delhi.

Celebrities, leaders, motivational speakers, members of the elite academia, and those who made it big by pure chance; the students of Delhi University have stood firsthand witness to it all, via panels, seminars, conferences, conclaves and other events similar in nature.

Students flock to these events in large numbers, seeking motivation, inspiration, enlightenment, or to simply catch a glimpse of a famous entity. However, when reconsidered, it seems as if all of these speakers, regardless of their field of expertise, are making the same point. You seldom come across anything radically enlightening, rather receive recycled gyaan.  If you’ve heard the terms ‘hardwork’, ‘leadership’, ‘innovative thinking’, ‘bringing something new to the table’ and ‘being humble’ one too many times; congratulations! you have unwittingly become a victim of nebulous direction.

Everything makes sense and nothing makes sense. Vague and nebular advice is the new preaching. Nothing anybody says adds any intrinsic value to the lives of students, their leaders themselves often presenting recycled ideas while simultaneously urging students to be ‘innovative’. One reason for the same is that there is no set path to success, and students are often too delusional to realize that. Students are burdened with the desire and/or pressure to overachieve, and often this desire arises not from within, but as a result of environmentally generated competition.

Leaders and speakers are an important part of college culture, but often, making examples of the small fraction of people who ‘made it’ advertises a lifestyle that is probably already out of stock. There is no market equilibrium; the demand and supply are poles apart, and in the end, students are suffering.

Nikita Bhatia

[email protected]

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