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Stepping into college often comes with high expectations about academics, friendships, and even politics. A rather ignored side of the college experience is the unexpected arc of self-discovery and growth that comes with it. This piece attempts to explore how college may challenge you in unforeseen ways. 

I remember 2nd November, 2022, as if it were yesterday. Skittish with nerves but bubbling with excitement, I stepped into college for the first time. Like the hundreds of other freshmen, I could not wait to experience the much-anticipated college life

We all have fantasised about our lives in college, props to the ‘wild’ college stories we’ve heard or the media we’ve consumed. The college experience is often glamorised and romanticised, becoming almost inescapable due to the ubiquitous college student trope in popular culture. Through all these narratives, we consciously or subconsciously end up building certain expectations about our time in college. However, one aspect of the college experience that we rarely foresee is how profoundly it will transform our identity. On my first day, I had a certain idea, an expectation from my three years at Delhi University. However, nothing could have prepared me for the journey I was to go through.  A third year student of sociology at LSR shares a feeling similar to my own,

Since coming to college, I have realised that I have a newfound confidence in my ability to think for myself and make decisions completely of my own accord. Owing to all the discussions that we have had in our classrooms since the first year, I have become even hungrier to know more and to learn more. I feel I have become more fearless with my decisions, and I participate more comfortably and confidently in conversations as I have the right facts and ideas of my own,

One of the most dramatic shifts that we experience as teenagers is perhaps the transition from school to college. Suddenly, we no longer have to wear a uniform, no one is checking our notebooks, and we have a newfound autonomy. Many of us have longed for this freedom—this autonomy—but when it finally arrives, it brings with it a certain anxiety. Now we are on our own, and no one will be holding us accountable but ourselves. This sudden leap into adulthood can be quite jarring and challenging, but at the same time, the sense of independence and empowerment that it brings with it makes it worthwhile. Over time, we come to appreciate how some seemingly small moments have contributed to our growth and maturity.  Another student from LSR resonates a similar feeling,

My time at DU has instilled a certain sensitivity in me regarding other people’s opinions and cultures, and I have come to appreciate being exposed to different ways of thinking,

While one can argue that there is still some work to be done on the diversity and inclusivity front of the university, it is not a stretch to say that being at Delhi University introduces you to people from very different social realities than your own, something that I find lacking in many other institutions, and particularly private ones. Students from markedly different socio-economic and regional backgrounds converge in their common pursuit of knowledge. These interactions challenge our preconceived notions and biases, prompting us to reflect on our own experiences and perspectives. This microcosm of empathy and understanding can then become a catalyst for positive developments in your personal identity. 

In my own experience, engaging in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds heightened my political consciousness. I found myself more involved in socio-political discourses and issues. While I do recognise that my thoughts or actions alone may hold little value in comparison to the gravity of the socio-political issues, I do not feel as powerless as I once did. I now have a voice, even if it may not be as loud as others. This realisation has also made me more comfortable expressing myself unapologetically, whether through conversations, fashion, or art.  A third-year Economics student from Gargi College remarks,

Before coming to college, I was a shy kid. I didn’t speak unless I was spoken to, and sometimes I even tried to escape regular conversations. I anticipated that my college life would be similar. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. These three years transformed me from an introverted kid to someone who makes small talk in the metro now,

While the prospect of finding connections in college may seem daunting, these shared spaces and daily interactions make it easier. For many of us, college becomes a place where we find a community and a sense of belonging. 

From navigating administrative tasks to participating in student politics to daily commutes, every small experience in college contributes to the transformation of our identities. To anyone who’s just about to start their college journey, here is an unsolicited piece of advice: take a deep breath and strap in, for the next three years just might surprise you in ways you never imagined. 

Read also: 

Maintaining your Identity in College

Featured Image Credits: Disha Bharti for DU Beat

Disha Bharti  

[email protected] 

Following too many pages on positivity? DU Beat analyses why it’s time for you to unfollow them.

Here, I quote my good friend, Lilly Singh, “THIS GON BE SOME REAL TALK, HOMIE!”

It is very often that you see Tumblr Quotes and motivational pieces that tell you how everything is positive and you should be grateful for everything. It teaches you to be in that mindset all the time. However life is never only positive. It may sometimes be tough and negative. However, when you begin feeling that everything needs to be positive, you take your hardships negatively. Don’t force yourself to be happy. After a point, we begin to refuse to admit that anything is wrong in reality. It is important to remember that positivity does not rest in refusing to see a problem as a problem. It is in looking at the problem, admitting it, and then being positive enough to find a solution to it so that you can work towards it. Refusing to admit that there is a problem will leave you superficial. It will never give you the opportunity to make your life better by solving the problem. Toxicity increases when the motivational quotes force you to keep up with that superficiality.

Furthermore, every quote of positivity that you see may not be relevant to your situation but you apply it to yourself anyway. If you are in a toxic relationship and see a quote about consistency, it must not be deemed relevant to you, no matter how positive it is. Every situation is unique and requires personalized specific analysis to come to a conclusion. The person behind the screen who posted that quote doesn’t know your situation and may not even intend the quote to have such an impact on you. Every situation does not lead to a positive outcome when tackled with the ‘positive’ advice.

Lastly, the fact that you are following so many pages that intend to bring positivity to you, makes you believe that you are negative and cannot be positive yourself. That, my friend, is not just bad for your self-identity but also is completely false. Everyone’s notion of positivity is not the same. Do not restrict your idea of positivity to what the page believes it is. Different things give positivity to different people and you can create your own positivity. Don’t use cramps when you can independently walk on your own!

If you find yourself being unable to be naturally positive for a long while, maybe try to talk to your friends about it or go for therapy. But first, explore yourself, let go of these pages and try to create your own happiness.

 

Feature Image Credits: success.com

 

Khyati Sanger

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