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How to deal with ‘I feel like a nobody in college’ syndrome

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Yes, it’s the first week of college. Yes, it’s nothing like you imagined. Yes, you do feel a little lost. Here’s a revelation: you’re not alone.

Typically, the first few months of college require loads of patience from your end. And every senior who looks well settled in her/his place right now has been in your shoes at one point of time. Everyone may seem like a ‘someone’ right now but no one walked in to college all popular and confident!

So while you’re still in your ‘figuring out’ phase and are getting depressed over the fact that you’re just one of the crowd, here’s how to deal with the ‘Nobody Panic Syndrome’:

  1. Join a society: College will offer you a society for whatever suits you the most. As clichéd this advice may seem, you’ll bear the fruits eventually. By the time the first semester ends, you’ll realise that not only your teachers identify you as a member of that society but also your friends and peers from different departments.
  2. Chisel those conversation skills: The first few months in college will bring you the friends that’ll stay with you for a lifetime. Talk about chicken, Big Bang Theory, Sky-diving, exploits in parking lots; whatever sails your boat! It’s easier than you think because everyone is as awkward and confused as you are.
  3. Hanging out should be a priority: Go out with your peers, explore areas in and around college. This should be your top priority (side note: even more important than attending classes!). Not only do you get to know about the food you’ll survive on the next couple of years, you’ll bag loads of memories.
  4. Associate yourself with activities outside college: You want to be a go-to and contacts person? Know your business outside college too. Capitalise on your skills and be open for new ventures. Join organisations that work outside the ambit of your course.
  5. Most importantly, make your presence felt: Don’t want to feel like a nobody? Participate in fests, volunteer for department and college work. Keep up that enthusiasm; you are being slyly observed, you don’t know it!

 

Arushi Pathak
[email protected]

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Around the Campus

Off-campus colleges stealing the limelight

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Over the years, off-campus colleges have been stealing the spotlight away from North and South Campus Colleges in various spheres of courses, infrastructure and cultural societies. Therefore, with each passing year, they have successfully attracted more and more Delhi University aspirants for admissions.

What’s causing this remarkable shift from the core campus? Let’s have a look!

1. Infrastructure

With sprawling campuses and well-developed infrastructure, off-campus colleges like Keshav Mahavidyalaya, the newly built Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women, Maharaja Agarsen, Shaheed Sukhdev College for Business Studies are proven to be better than many core campus colleges. Dyal Singh College (M) recently also became the first college to be powered by solar energy. Off-campus colleges are thus, in a constant process of improving their infrastructure!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="735"] Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College[/caption]

 

2. Specialized Courses

Another reason for the shift are the specialised courses that off-campus colleges are known to offer. Institute of Home Economics (IHE) and Lady Irwin College are the only colleges that offer Home Science as an undergraduate course. Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences also offers many unique specialised courses on instruments, rarely found in any other colleges.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="725"] Lady Irwin College[/caption]

 

3. NAAC grading

Acharya Narendra Dev College (ANDC) secured the second spot by getting a CGPA of 3.31 (Grade A) in The National Assessment and Accreditation Council’s (NAAC) evaluation. Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (3.16), Ramanujan College (3.06), Shivaji College (3.26), Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce (3.02), Keshav Mahavidyalaya (3.01), Bharati College (2.85) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College (2.63) were some of the off- campus colleges that too received good NAAC scores this year.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Acharya Narendra Dev College[/caption]

 

 4. Cultural Societies

Misba – Western Dance Society, and I Vogue – The Fashion Society of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce (SGGSC), won all the major competitions in Delhi University this fest season. Vayam – the dramatics society of Shivaji College, Glamoratti – The Fashion Society of Dyal Singh College (Morning), Zephyr – The Western Music Society of Kamala Nehru College and SGND Khalsa College’s folk dance societies are some of the best societies in Delhi University’s circuit.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="735"] Kamala Nehru College[/caption]

 

Nidhi Panchal

[email protected]

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DUB Speak

5 reasons why you should join an ECA society of your college

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Being a 3rd year student, I often look back at my college life and wonder, have I done it all? That is a question all of us ask ourselves at some point, especially when you realize that life as you know it, is going to change very soon.

In retrospect, I realize that my college life would have been incomplete without being a part of my society. So if today, someone asks me why it’s so important to be a part of an ECA society, I would probably sit them down and tell them the following:-

1. It will make or break your college experience

Being in a college society is a unique experience in its own sense, but if you can’t be seriously dedicated to it, then you might never reap its benefits either. That being said, becoming a part of a society gives you a feeling of being something more than just another student, as in this team, you have your own part to play and your own unique identity. The experience you gain with the people you meet and the colleges you visit all adds up and changes the way you have viewed life so far.

2. It helps you grow as a person in life and in your chosen field of expertise

The time spent practicing and building up your production from the scratch is the most satisfying feeling in the world. To get on the stage and show the world your art, while soaking in the applause after, gives you a high, unlike that of any drug. It boosts your confidence both on-stage and off, and leaves behind a feeling of accomplishing higher, tougher goals.

3. Hard work becomes a way of life

Along the way, you also realise that you aren’t afraid of working hard anymore. After 6-8 hours of practice every day, which is typical for dramatics and dance societies, you learn to manage your social, academic and romantic life. This means that you won’t be scared of putting in extra efforts anymore, and may in fact, even become a pro at waking up early in the mornings and always reaching on time for practices (never for lectures though!).

4. Societies will literally give you the best of friends for life, for real!

For the most part, I think I will miss the moments and memories made with all my friends and seniors. Imagine spending 6 hours a day, all week, for three years in the company of the same people and never getting bored. Under the pressure of rigorous practice and performances, you will get to know their true selves like the back of your hand, and they will get to know you the same way.

The best part is that you get to be totally free with your team and it is with them that you truly discover your crazy side, one that will surely surprise you too! You tear your walls down and share a bond so deep that you won’t be surprised if you start completing each other’s sentences. However, it is worth a mention here that you might also embark upon certain rivalries in the process, but rest assured, they will also be the most fun to act on.

5. The parties and farewells are to die for!

If you have ever heard about society farewells being the most fun parties, then you have heard it right. Along with the fun and frolic, they are also an incredibly emotional affair. The farewell speeches, gifts and ceremonies make you realize how amazing your experience has been and how much you are going to miss these days. And more so, the people!

In my personal opinion, being a part of a western dance society has truly defined my college life. It has given me irreplaceable friends, a name and a taste of accomplishing something big. So if you ever get an opportunity to audition for a society, you should definitely take a risk and go for it.
It might just be the best thing you do!

Image Credits: Divik Gupta 

Tarushi Varma

[email protected]

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Top Picks

6 reasons why participating in outstation fests is a must- do in college

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college trips

One of the many perks of being in a society is travelling for outstation festivals much different from that of regular Delhi University fests. Most common being the festivals of Indian Institute of Technology`s (IIT), Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) and Indian Institute of Management (IIMS). These trips are definitely lifetime experiences filled with fun and memories.

However, there are a set of emotions and thoughts that every participant goes through on these outstation trips. So here is a list that follows it.

Travelling in sleeper class

You may have passed judgments on people you meet in college who confess of never having taken an auto or a metro in their life but traveling in a sleeper class of the Indian railways is some serious public transport case.  Most trips are budget restricted so AC three tier is usually not an option and flights almost never. It’s a definitely a first time experience for many, eased by the comfort of company and fun.

That feeling of adulthood

As you are laughing and having a good time, a terrorizing thought comes across your mind. ‘I think I forgot my costume’, ‘I think I forgot my instrument’, and almost always, ‘I think I forgot my college ID card’. That nagging feeling of having forgotten something gets you worked up, making you imagine of alternatives in case it turns out to be true. Most often than not, everything is in place but no matter how prepared you are, these questions always pop up. Travelling with a college society forces you to take care of yourself and your belongings.

Accommodation

After travelling in a sleeper class you seem prepared to challenge any hardships in life but you start doubting that when you come across the accommodation arrangements. A Servant quarter, dorm, hostel rooms, just anything and everything becomes accommodation with lined up mattresses. In case you are lucky you may get a comfortable place otherwise it is a constant struggle for using the bathroom and charging ports, not to forget sleeping on vintage mattress.

Late nights

Soon you realize that the campus never sleeps. At many places competitions run through the night with events at odd hours such as 2:30 am and 4:00 am. People are on the roads chatting, singing, dancing having a gala time, its 24×7 party out on the streets and sleep is for the weak

Competition and Exposure

In festivals of above-mentioned institutes, participants come from all over India bringing in eclectic forms and variations. It makes you realize the kind of competition out there and exposes you to innovative ideas and methods. It’s a learning experience and an opportunity to recognize your standing in the league.

Exploring the city

Going for competitions to places such as Goa, Mumbai or Bengaluru, the fun extends beyond the campus to the sights of the city. Indulging in local food, clicking photographs and trinket shopping make it all worthwhile. This is also the time when you bond with the members of the group and get to know each other that is otherwise missed out on regular college days.

Outstation trips naturally match you up with your kind in the group, on the basis of sleeping, eating and partying patterns. Its purpose becomes more than the competition you came for. It becomes the memories you create, the first-times and the last-times, the games of ‘Never Ever Have I’ and ‘Truth or Dare’.

College trips are times that bring excitement and glee every time you recall them and going to one with a purpose just makes it better!

 Image credits: http://yourstoryclub.com/

 

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Campus Central

College societies to question, express and click

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The Quiz circuit quizUnlike common perception, winning a quiz competition is more about how much you can analyse and deduce than how much you can memorise. Societies around the university will second to this opinion. Quiz culture in the University is not many years old and has a small but dedicated team of enthusiasts. “It’s a group of like minded people participating in quizzes together and learning together as everyone brings something to the society,” defines Abhaas Mohan, founder of Conquiztador, the Quizzing society of Sri Venkateswara College. As for the auditions, societies have their separate method of evaluation. “Every person has their own interests, therefore we cannot expect them to be good at everything. we have a written test which has questions from every field. Then based on overall score and sectional score on our personal we take people in, There are also people who join us after the auditions,” says Abhaas. For Quest- the Quiz society of SGGSCC, it’s all about testing while having fun. “We have fun and interesting questions, where we can entertain them as well as test their aptitude and decide if they are good enough for quizzing or not,” says Utkarsh. As for preparing for a quiz competition, everyone agrees it’s about what you read, the movies you watch and the number of quiz competitions you attend as it gives you a fair idea on the way questions are based and what to expect.

“Frankly, there is nothing like preparing for a quiz. There might be moments where you think you know everything, but you actually know nothing,” relays Utkarsh.
Lookout for
  • Landmark Quiz- if you win this you are apparently a legend in the field.
  • Cannot Place? – a quiz conducted by the Delhi NCR Quizzing Fraternity
  • Karnataka Quizzing Association
  • World Quizzing Championship
  • Competitions organized by various colleges in Delhi University.
creative writingWrite a little Writing is one of the most immaculate form of human expression. For an activity of such kind, it is imperative that there be a society which brings together individuals with a special gift in the play of words and help them enhance their qualities. Almost all colleges of the University have a Creative writing society, which regularly hold workshops and sessions and also competitions. Auditions, usually involve submission of original pieces be it prose, poetry and then the shortlisted go through an impromptu writing session. Look out for:
  • National Novel writing month
  • SRCC- Zephyr fest
  • LSR- Expressions
Catch the Photo bug With the availability of camera’s which are smarter than it’s users, highly professional online editing tools and a captive audience, it’s not hard to declare oneself as an amateur photographer and why not, photography is all about how you perceive things around you and if that only includes your self reflection in the mirror, so be it. But then there are these and they are individuals who take it to another level, who strengthen their foundation and learn from their peers.
photography206“I have been into photography, so the next logical step was to be a part of a society where you meet other photographers and get to go to photo walks and learn from professionals,” says Jayati Bhola, a member of the Fine Arts and Photography society of Kirori Mal College.
Giving an overview of the auditions she explains,”We have ECA trials, with grading systems in which 20 or 30 marks are for certificates, then some marks for portfolio and then on spot. We give random themes to people and a limited time in which they have to submit their photographs.” Things in St. Stephens are done a little differently though,”Technically, everyone who wants to be a part of the society, is a part of the society. but the working committee is decided on our own. We notice their work for 6 months and if we think they can contribute well, they become a part of the executive council,” says Satender Singh, President of Stephen’s Photography Society, which also might be the only society to have it’s own dark room. Like all societies, this society also receives funds from the college but they are nominal and a lot of expenditure is self incurred. “We get sponsors for our fest. Also, our team is in charge of the college calender and so we get the calender printed and get some profit out of it, but that money is not much,” explains Satender. Look out for
  • Various competitions by colleges in the University.
  • Online competitions.
  • Nikon School workshops
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Campus Central

UberJogi- A Start Up With A Difference

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UberJogi is a customization start up that deals with hand painted T-shirts and printed promotional corporate apparel. Started by three girls in August 2011, this enterprise has climbed ladders of popularity in a very short span. Like all other start ups, this too has a story. Vasudha, Tanvi, Raashi, were very good friends, and students of commerce and business studies. But they also possessed zeal for art which eventually prompted them to start their own line of hand painted and printed line of clothing. “We started at the college level. Designing t shirts for college societies, customized t-shirts for our friends and they loved our work”, says Tanvi. They also have a brand ambassador program, wherein students of different colleges are selected as representatives of UberJogi. “This helps us reach out to our audience more. And the ambassadors also get earnings and work experience. So it’s a two -fold benefit”, says Vasudha. In a scenario, where most student startups are around event management or content development, this one clearly stands out. “It happens often that customers don’t get the ideal design that they want. So they tell us what kind of theme do they have in mind, and we create what their mind reflects. It’s an “image-wear” kind of thing”, adds Tanvi. Amidst this, what also catches your attention is the name. “UberJogi baba is our mascot. Uber is german for ultra cool, so it means an ultra-cool baba”, says Raashi. Tanvi, Raashi and Vasudha are the ones that handle the entire work. From marketing, to sales, to designing, hand painting shirts, everything lies in their hands. “Don’t you feel short of manpower?” I ask. “No, we believe in girl power”, says Tanvi, with a laugh. UberJogi has designed for colleges like LSR, JMC, CBS, Khalsa, MAMC and IIM-A. Most of their sales are online; they also sell through an online portal called Indiebazaar. The cost of their hand painted T-shirts is Rs.700-800. They have also designed for cafes like OTB and Masha in Hauz Khas village. Their most recent addition in the venture is designing a line of customized hand painted T-shirts for Thadi- the village café at at Hauz khas village.  They also organized a photography competition on the theme “rustic India”, and the shortlisted few were on display at Thadi. “The theme is related to Indian culture, which corresponds with Thadi’s theme to. “, says Raashi. When you found a startup, it comes with a free bag of apprehensiveness. “Our parents were apprehensive, but when they started seeing the results, their worries vanished”, says Vasudha. Also, other people were apprehensive about an all girls start up, but they decided to go ahead with it and proved everyone wrong. “When people talk about UberJogi, it feels great.” says Tanvi. Their future plans include venturing into hand painted home furnishings, accessories, etc. We wish all the best for it!   You could find them on Facebook here, http://www.facebook.com/uberjogi?ref=ts     ]]>

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