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Reflections: 10 things I learnt about college in my first year

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As I slogged my way through the tedium of class XI and XII, my ambition to study in one of Delhi University’s prestigious colleges was a constant source of motivation. All I wished was to hop right out of school and into college. College, to me, symbolised liberation. The burning desire and hope for brighter prospects helped me tide by many difficult moments of low self-esteem, fatigue and pessimism.

It’s a simple concept, really.The idea of studying in college has been glamorised to an ad nauseum degree in our movies, songs and literature. Collegiate life has always been painted in rosy hues, making it look like all fun and play. So vehement has been such enforcement that even before one enters college, one forms multiple mental images about it. And more often than not, these images can be extremely deceptive, false and misleading.

So yes, I was a little disappointed when I walked into college on my first day and no one rolled out a red carpet in my welcome; or that the canteen was not full of good looking boys. The teachers weren’t cool and trendy (no Sushmita Sens in my college,unfortunately) and the girls weren’t dressed like they had walked out of a fashion magazine. In retrospect, I realised that college after all, is not the optimum amalgamation of Riverdale High (Archie’s Comics), St.Teresa’s (Student Of The Year) and East High (High School Musical). College is a pretty raw and serious deal.

One year in college and I have come to know college life for what it really is. Here are my musings:

1. When elders tell you to study in school so that you can enjoy college, they’re just baiting you. Maintaining good scores in college is important and that means you must maintain your academic rigour.
2. Professors aren’t necessarily cooler than teachers. Even though professors are more lax than teachers, some professors can be daunting and nagging, perpetually handing out assignments and tests.
3. Even though you don’t have to wear a uniform, you have to be quite mindful of what you wear and when you wear it. People like to judge.Never let yourself be voluntarily victimised.
4. Friends made in the first semester may not remain friends in the second semester. Group dynamics are subject to frequent changes. This happens because in the first semester, you’re too new to gauge people’s true personality.
5. The festival season is great, but not as sensational or stunning as you’d hoped.
6. No matter how many amazing eateries might be in around your college’s campus, sooner or later, you’re going to tire of all of them.
7. Once you’re in the University, your college name hardly matters. The importance of the name of your college is one of those things that outsiders make a big deal out of. But for a student or teacher in University, you’re just like any other university student.
8. College societies require time, commitment and dedication. And they’re important because they shape your college life. Thus, be heedful about the society you join.
9. College is not the destination; it’s a pit stop along the journey. Don’t let it be your end all. Keep improvising on yourself, use your experiences to develop your personality and don’t settle easily.
10. Don’t let college life strip you off your ideals. Be true to yourself and your values. These are the things that will set you apart from the rest of the world later on.

Feature image credits: learnmoreeveryday.wordpress.com

Kriti Sharma
[email protected]

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Admissions 2015

Freshers’ Orientation: Top 5 Sources of information for DU aspirants

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As the time for the admission season draws nearer, DU aspirants can often be seen in various stages of distress, a lot of which can be blamed on lack of proper information from reliable sources. If you find yourself or someone close to you in a similar position, we’ve got you covered!

School Seniors

This one is a no brainer. The perks of knowing and hanging out with seniors in school isn’t limited to just getting insider info and adding to your cool quotient. Your seniors, a lot of whom find themselves in DU, can also be very helpful during the admission period, given that they went through the same process themselves the previous year. There are some things that no official guide can cover but your seniors will be able to tell you about, including random but important things like all the supplies and documents to carry on the day you visit colleges for applications and the best mode of transportation to get there.

If you’re confused about the pros of one college over the other, catch hold of a senior who will be able to dish on things beyond what will be included in anything you’ll find on the college websites or other guides- the kind of faculty, societies, food in the canteen and other opportunities available. Since most DU freshers make it a point to visit other colleges, either during festivals or otherwise, and also usually have friends in other colleges as well, their information isn’t limited to just their colleges either. Other than this, they will also be able to calm your frazzled nerves in case you find yourself freaking out about admissions.

It would be great to maintain a database of your seniors and their colleges so that you know whom to contact.

Teachers/ Professors

If you know someone who teaches at Delhi University or works behind the scenes in the administrative department, you have hit the jackpot in terms of the kind of information they will be able to give to you. From the tentative release of the application forms to faculties in different colleges and what is going on behind the scenes of the latest move by the Delhi University administration, you can possibly know it all.

They will also be able to ease things a little in case of fee refunds or acquiring documents back from the administrative office in case of a withdrawal of admission by guiding you through the procedure and giving you insider tid-bits about whom to contact.

Delhi University’s Official Website

The most obvious go-to for any information about DU should definitely be its official website. Though a little slow to load sometimes and tardy about updating, you will find all the latest notices and announcements related to cut-offs, attendance, various criteria etc. here. Even after your admission, DU’s website will be your saviour in terms of official notices, course content and examination datesheets. It also has a lot of information about the various initiatives taken by the university, alumni and other amenities if you are excited to learn more about your prospective place of studying.

Individual College Websites

While DU’s website will more or less cover any official university notices you should be aware about, it is a good idea to check out the websites of colleges you’re the most interested in. Most college websites post information about different departments and may even list their faculty members and their qualifications. They also include the latest initiatives taken up by the college, notable achievements by their students, faculty and alumni, and other updates on the amenities offered by them.

Again, the website of the college you get into will become an important sources of information to you as colleges often post about the orientation schedule and their official list of holidays.

DU Beat

Not to sound too full of ourselves, but DU Beat has been around since 2007 as an independent student newspapers that covers almost everything of importance that happens in the wildly happening Delhi University. With DUB correspondents present in a lot of DU colleges and covering festivals, events and protests, you can rest assured that you’ll be on top of everything major that’s going on.

The print edition is circulated weekly in a lot of colleges and the online edition (available at dubeat.com) is updated daily and overcomes some distribution barriers, along with our Facebook and Instagram pages (@du_beat) and Twitter account (@du_beat).

A team of incredibly cool people works tirelessly to live upto DU Beat’s name- the ‘beat’ of DU. DUB also covers important issues that need attention, gives you first-hand experience at the best food places for college students and basically talks about everything that will be relevant to you during your college life.

Shubham Kaushik

[email protected]

picture credits: thenextweb.com

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Top Picks

Top 5 trends that freshers end up following

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College is seen as a land of magical dreams and abundant freedom. After slogging for their Board Exams, freshers look forward to letting their hair down and experimenting with everything under the sun. While every fresher takes a different route, we look at some common trends among freshers in the first few months after college begins!

  1. Getting their hair coloured-Ah, come college and you’ll notice many hardcore freshers dyeing their hair in a variety of colours. Red and light brown are too old school now and people have moved on to more off beat shades like purple, blue, green and even white. In case you dislike everything that is main stream and want to stand out, just shave your hair off completely; that should do the trick!
  2. Joining societies and ‘youth organisations’– It is common knowledge that the batch of first years is easily the most enthusiastic lot in a college at any given point of time. Fresh out of school, they want to try their hand at anything and everything, and usually end up joining about 5 different societies in colleges, or the many ‘youth organisations’ comprising DU students. Needless to say, they don’t think too much about it and jump into such activities. This zeal fades, eventually, and students end up in the one or two societies that they really like.
  3. Getting tattoos and piercings-Nothing screams freedom and individuality like tattoos and piercings, right? There are many fucchas who line up outside tattoo studios and jewellery stores to get inked and pierced respectively the minute they get into DU. They get their ears, noses, eyebrows and even unmentionable body parts pierced. Cryptic tattoos are definitely in, though most like to keep it simple with the symbol for infinity being a popular option.
  4. Adopting a hippie outlook- This transformation is relatively slow and not something that everyone goes through. But slowly and surely, you’ll notice some freshers adopting certain habits. Such students claim to hate all that is main stream and switch to loose, brightly coloured pants and tops and can be seen smoking around campus. And no, that’s not a cigarette they’re smoking! They’ll start growing out their hair and adopting an ‘I don’t care about anything’ attitude. Many of them even start listening to Pink Floyd to seal the deal.
  5. Creating LinkedIn Accounts-This isn’t an immediate occurrence, but within a month or so, students start creating LinkedIn accounts for ‘professional purposes’. Especially those in Commerce, Economics and Business courses feel that a profile on LinkedIn will help them get important contacts. Only problem is that the next time they log into their account is about a year later, if at all.
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Shri Ram College of Commerce

SRCC welcomes new batch of students

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Shri Ram College of Commerce

Shri Ram College of Commerce welcomed its new batch of students in the orientation ceremony on Tuesday, 23rd of July. Thousands of freshers turned up looking awestruck and jittery. Like every year, the orientation was conducted in the college auditorium which was jam-packed with students, the parents not being allowed to enter the hall.

The programme was short and simple with teachers and principal on the podium introducing students to the college and telling them the do’s and don’ts of college life. “We found their speeches very inspiring and impactful and I can’t wait for the college to begin”, says Samantha, one of the freshers.

A short session was also conducted by the Delhi police about the metro line, making them familiar with it and telling them how they can commute. The students were then taken to their respective classes and given the SRCC handbook after which lunch was served to them and their parents.

“I love the college even more and I feel I belong here already, the sports complex is awesome!” adds an over excited fresher.

(Also see: College orientations in pictures)

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Admissions 2013

DU Freshers- what to expect from college?

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And so, much like everything else in India, we have now eventually landed up the FYUP! And instead of grumbling over what has been done, the ones who have slogged their way into DU need to focus on the brighter side now. First of all, you made it. Congratulations. That’s bright enough! Second of all, Delhi University is going to be everything you imagined. Okay not everything, but it’s going to be nothing less than four maddening, crazy and heartening years for you! But before you stop reading and start texting with anticipation and excitement, let us (your humble seniors) clear some of your misconceptions.

What to look out for:

  1. Foundation Courses (For your Mind, Body and Soul- no I am not kidding): So for all those who don’t have an “integrated mind, body and heart”… DU comes to the rescue. DU will make sure your creativity (which is a congenial trait), life skills, language etc. are all taken care of. Yes, all this so that you become more ‘employable’. Ahem.
  2. Jam Packed Social Calendar: Of the many things students will need to sacrifice this year, their social life is not one of them. With the new found freedom, the newbies can now go have a ball with their new found friends!
  3. Better societies and awesomer fests: As ECA and sports activities are synonymous with marks now, fests and societies will get a boost and improve drastically. With the fucchas working even harder to prove their mettle, it’s safe to expect each college putting up a grand show!
  4. College protests: As the hand of the ABVP and NSUI still looms large over DU, most freshers will be witness to their spectacularly conducted and overly dramatized protests. With political connections, there students will definitely try to bring the house down.

Busting Some Myths:

  1. Ragging: Contrary to the common belief of – ‘Tu kyu kar rha hai? Fucche se karwa lenge!’ DU isn’t exactly a frame out of 3 idiots and you will definitely not have to perform crazy stunts or walk around pretending to be James Bond just because a senior told you to do so. With strict anti-ragging laws, your worst nightmare should be cranky teachers and definitely not your seniors!
  2. The Ladies/ The Studs: For all those who stayed single to find their soul mates in DU, you’ll be waiting some more time. Contrary to popular beliefs, the girl’s colleges are not a pond of budding super models. And not all boys look like they were ripped off magazine covers. They too are humans, give them some credit for looking perfectly human and not like porcelain dolls.
  3. Equality Among Colleges: Okay so you’ve probably been expecting this all the way, but suddenly your best friend from the other college will become ‘them’ and your newly found united college buddies will be ‘us’.
  4. Completely Fudged up Timelines: If you had been cursing your friends, family, associates etc. for not being punctual all this time, you are about to experience a whole new level of procrastination. The University declares results exactly a month after its due date, if you’re lucky. Be glad that’s the only thing the university does. And if you have any other issues to sought with the administrative department, then god save you!

By Raghav Chopra ([email protected]) and Akriti Gupta ([email protected])

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DUB Speak

10 things I learnt from a Women’s College

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Women’s colleges across the globe have had the history of producing some of the smartest, bravest and greatest minds we’ve seen – from Hilary Clinton to Aung Sang Suu Kyi, from Sheila Dikshit to Gita Gopinath – the most brilliant women today credit their successes to their all girl alma maters. So what values do these all women institutions instill in their students that inspire them to achieve greatness? A sense of confidence, a feeling of being comfortable in one’s own skin, breaking stereotypes, understanding that the only person you need to impress is yourself? Ofcourse!

Besides these, the experience of studying a women’s college is like no other – our college life comes with its own set of problems, solutions and sweet nothings. Some funny and some downright crazy, here is a list of ten little things that I’ve learned from my experience in a women’s college:

1)      Being a male professor is not easy – Can you imagine the plight of a man aged between 25-50 teaching a class of fifty 19 year old girls? Well, you can’t! Each move he makes is scrutinized, duly noted and discussed after class. God forbid he decides to wear acid wash jeans, mispronounces a word, or says one thing too many times, he can be rest assured to be topic of discussion throughout the day!

2)      Pyjamas are completely acceptable college wear – While this may vary from individual to individual and from college to college, most of us couldn’t care less about our attire in college. In the end, it’s all about being comfortable.

3)      College fests are a time when all your guy friends will decide you exist – WHAT IS WITH BOYS WANTING TO ENTER GIRLS COLLEGES? I mean, relax guys, we aren’t a species from outer space and our campus is not a UFO! Sure, come in and see what our fest is all about but don’t treat us like exotic birds you’d like to sight at a picnic with your pals.

4)      Beauty is not skin deep – Forgot to get your eyebrows done? Or shave your legs? Been too busy to watch your weight? Welcome to no man’s land. As long as you’re a great person and can help a friend in need, we really couldn’t care less!

5)      Everybody here is not a feminist – Sure, many of us lean towards gender studies or feminism as a political ideology, and that maybe because of the stark difference in our lives in and outside college, but not everybody claims to be a feminist, per se.

6)      Being a feminist and being lesbian are two different things – Many of us have heard this and it’s gets more frustrating each time. Feminism is not a man hating, lesbian loving idea – it’s an idea striving for equality of all genders in every sense, and should not be associated only with women’s colleges.

7)      Women aren’t delicate creatures who need to be constantly pampered – There are NO men here – we take our own food to the table, shift around the heavy furniture all by ourselves, travel alone and are well aware that the ‘girls are soft, boys are strong idea’ is stupid and has no place in the 21st century.

8)      Men who advocate for gender justice are extremely ‘sexy’ to us – Okay, so to be clear here, there is no battle of the sexes. There are men who are pathetic and misogynist; there are also women who think the same way. When we see someone from the privileged sex with the intellectual capacity to make sense of the war against women and genders other than male – and because it’s not very common – our hearts can’t help but leap with joy!

9)      There are no flocks of guys waiting outside the gates of our college – This is a myth buster – there are no boys peeping in from gates and windows, no men trying to sneak in. The only men outside college are the auto vaala bhaiyas, the rickshaw vaala bhaiyas, the bhelpuri/sevpuri bhaiyas and the icecream vaala bhaiyas.

10)  College is a real place, not Barbie land – Contrary to what outsiders or aspirants may think, everybody is not incredibly feminine, nor are there catfights, or women making out behind bushes. We go there to study, have fun, and learn about life – and that’s exactly what we do!

College teaches us all of this and more – love it or hate it, you’re going to learn here – both about yourself and about the world, and when you’re learning all of this in a women’s college, your life is going to be all new and very unique roller coaster. All freshers going to women’s colleges – welcome aboard!

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Admissions 2013

PG Hunting in North Campus

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With the admission hurdle almost past, the next thing that is now on the minds of outstation DU freshers is looking for the right accommodation to spend the coming four years in. Since most colleges don’t provide a hostel facility, students are obligated to look for alternative accommodation like PGs, and so begins the rather difficult task of finding an affordable and comfortable PG.  Following is a compilation of the details of some PGs in North Campus-

  • Aanchal Residential Accommodation for Girls offers facilities such as A.C. rooms, WiFi enabled premise, medical and first aid facilities, housekeeping and laundry facility and other necessary facilities. Address: G-14, Single Storey, Vijay Nagar. Contact: 9899554491, 9911554454, 9213786744, [email protected]
  • Home-2 is a PG accommodation for girls, offering single/ two/ three-seater rooms and A.C. rooms with boarding and lodging. Other facilities include television, refrigerated water, security guard services and a hygienic, homely and secure environment. It is walking distance from the Campus and from the Metro (GTB Nagar and Vishwavidyalaya). Address: E-9, Vijay Nagar, Single Storey, Nr. Community Centre, Polo Road, New Delhi-110009. Contact: 9310365050, 9350685050, 9350615050, 011-20467231.
  • Shakun Sadan is a PG for girls. It is newly built, with a posh set up and a roof garden. Facilities like A.C./non-A.C. rooms, WiFi, T.V., full security are provided. Electricity and water are free and there also a provision for a kitchen. Address: E-134, Kamla Nagar Contact: Prof. M.L. Gupta 9810083501.
  • Garvita Niwas is a girls’ PG offering services like WiFi, four meals a day, A.C. rooms, attached toilets and laundry facilities. Address: F-55/56, Kamla Nagar, near Stellatoes, behind Udipi, New Delhi Contact: 9312838925.
  • She Dreams is a girls’ accommodation with fully furnished rooms, providing all necessary facilities. Address: 5-UB, Jawahar Nagar Contact: 9310013035, 9818805788.
  • Anand Niwas is a PG for boys offering services like WiFi, four meals a day, A.C. rooms, attached toilets and laundry facilities. Address: 30-UB, Jawahar Nagar, near McDonald’s, Kamla Nagar, New Delhi Contact: 9873242883.
  • Sawhney Niwas is a boys’ accommodation with fully furnished rooms, providing all necessary facilities. Address: A-9, Kamla Nagar Contact: 9310013035, 9910907258.
  • Bhagwati Niwas is a girls’ PG providing all necessary facilities. Address: 37, 1st floor, Bunglow Road, Kamla Nagar, opposite Amitabh Banquet Contact: 011-47046104, 9899965598, 9213990212.
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Campus Central

English Department Freshers at Hansraj College

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The official freshers party of English (Hons) students of Hansraj College took place on September 7. The theme of the party was “The Chronicles of Harry o ween” giving freshers an option to dress in themes of “Harry Potter”, “Chronicles of Narnia” and “Halloween”. Every fresher was asked to introduce themselves, and explain about the character they portrayed. The ones who did not follow the theme were asked to enact scenes of Bollywood movies and dancing (eg: ek chutki sindoor from Om Shanti Om). This was followed by the talent round. Meghna and Rishabh (both first years) did a ballroom dance and Vaishali performed a martial arts sequence. “It was fun. The freshers were very cool and sporting. We all danced our energies out, seniors danced with us too”, says Baruni, a fresher. Vaishali and Karan were titled Miss and Mr. Freshers respectively. “We had put in a lot of effort for this party. We’re glad freshers liked it”, says Drishti, a second year student.   Picture credits: Additi Seth]]>

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Campus Central

Let's Hangout!

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What a glistening mirage college life radiates! To each of  those dreamy eyed ones, campus  life is a gift wrapped experience of enthralling fun, persistent chilling, some really cool signature hangouts, and truly the incidence of  “the best things in life” with a validity of three years! This picture perfect imagery might just be shattered with some mundane schedules and chores that we hate to get around with, but that isnt too much of a problem. Delhi University offers you some splendid locales, that would be just enough to reconcile all the pieces of the broken hour glass. The more happening north campus has much to allure. With attempts to modify classrooms to student’s interests, what happens around in the haven of students is not worth the miss! It’s the ever so famous Kamala Nagar market that you will splurge on, you’d live to die for QD’s scrumptious delights.  The more desi ones will take refuge in Chatte de Hatti and monsoon rains will pour on Kamala Nehru ridge, to all lovers’ glee. The more popular colleges will leave you spellbound with blissful experiences.  Whether it is the iconic sports complex of SRCC and the adored Irfan’s canteen or the ultimate café of St. Stephen’s, ranging to the unexplored ones like a supposed Bhoot Bangla, a Graffiti wall, SPIC MACAY’s Canteen and the Tibetan market, you would want to venture into every barricade and every locked iron door, simply because this place breathes youthfulness and freedom. To satiate your drive to explore some more irresistible places, do not hesitate to visit all that south campus has to offer you.  Lined up in Satya Niketan is an array of enticing cafes including student’s paradise QD’s. The elite Taj’ CCD is a host to a number of campus birdies too. Contrary to that is the incredibly popular Chowrangee in Satya Niketan which feeds you to your heart’s satisfaction. Living up to the popular perception of Delhi’s malling culture, Delhi University students will never refrain from spending days together in malls like they were their second homes. Many of whom have attained nirvana in our favourite Select City walk. The ones in Vasant Kunj have supremely come up with the ice skating and bowling trends, which is truly GenY’s thing to do. Delhi University is a world in itself and it’s unbelievable how seemingly short the time we have here seems. It has a myriad of joys to spread and heaps of experiences to retain forever and for life. So, cease this year here and set out on the journey to unveil new avenues. Hope you have a Xing on experience! Picture Credits: Additi Seth]]>

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