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Monotony in Millennials: Hobbies are the Cure

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Millennials have started to believe that they do not have enough time for any leisure activity, and they that they need to succumb into the monotony of life. This piece aims to break that myth.

As children, the majority of our time was spent playing some sport, painting, and simply discovering our hobbies. This practice, however, saw a major transition as we grew up, even our diversions changed. Contrary to popular belief, hobbies are supposed to be activities that we make time for, despite our busy schedules and indefinite piles of tasks.

According to many surveys, most people prefer staying at home and watching television rather than stepping outside to discover themselves. Moreover, there is a difference between a past-time and a hobby. In the most generic sense, a hobby is mostly recreational.

Millennials fail to realize the importance of hobbies and continue living their vanilla lives. Every industry is characterized by its dynamic environment, and to soar higher in such conditions, everyone should indulge in creative thinking to stand out.

Hobbies are formed after several rounds of introspection, they are extremely important for self-actualization, and true happiness. Those people who make their passion their professions, have it comparatively easier than those who are still on the path of self-discovery.

Researchers have also discovered, that some time away from work, to indulge in some leisure activity has been linked with increased performances at work and creative activities, leading to higher confidence levels.

With extremely high-stress levels and constant pressure, millennials need an outlet for the same, which seems impossible due to their pre-occupation with technology, and the inability to make time for themselves.

Ishita, a student of Lady Shri Ram College said, “I used to paint every week as a child, but the last time I picked up a paintbrush was over five months ago just to post a story on Instagram.”

The idea that Instagram, Twitter, and other products of modern technology are replacements of hobbies is bizarre. Our fixation on social media is proving to be way more harmful than it was first predicted. Even if someone is actively pursuing their hobbies, they feel the need to post stories on their social media while they paint, bake, or read, which is strange because this trend has recently surfaced, and millennials tend to focus more on posting stories rather than enjoying their hobbies.

Feature image credits- Vaibhav Tekchandani for DU Beat

Suhani Malhotra

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Bad Luck of All Bad Lucks: Having your Birthday During Exams

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Many of us are lucky enough to look forward to our birthdays, and feel excited about them. But, what about those unfortunate chaps who just undergo tension and anxiety as their birthday comes closer along with their exams?

Exams suck. Ask any student, which is the worst time of the year according to them and exam season is the only answer you’re going to get. But for some students, the misery doesn’t end here. Having your birthday during exams is the worst omen of them all.

I bet we’ve all had big plans for how to celebrate another year of living, and have the best time. Attending birthday parties all year and analysing what to do and what not to do when it’s your turn to throw one, coming up with perfect scenarios in our head only to see the date sheet and ask, “Geez, what bad deeds did I do to deserve this?”

We are all used to celebrating festivals around exams because obviously our education system sees us as mules and wants to suck the fun out of our life, but it only prepares us for more unfortunate luck.

Prabhanu Kumar Das, a student from Kirori Mal College said, “So my birthday is on the 21st March. This year it was on the same day as the festival of Holi and also right before my Economics board exam. So while everyone else was outside having fun, I was looking at graphs and calculating demand and supply. Eventually, my friends came and dragged me out of the house, but it wasn’t the same.”

Not only it ruins the particular day but it spoils all the energy and the concept of birthdays in general. One is practically tensed all the time and is going through hell inside their head, doing last-minute revisions (or in my case, starting the course) when instead, one should be having the best time of their life, be it partying outside with everybody or staying at home and re watching the Harry Potter series with cake.

One could obviously study beforehand and still do all those things but let’s be honest, we want to be able to do those things without the guilt. And then there’s obviously the saddest alternative, celebrating after exams. Who are we kidding, that’s not the same, not even close. So one eventually makes peace with it and realises that it’s a part of growing up and this is a price that has to be paid for all the dreams. But all this maturity goes down the drain when you receive those yearly birthday calls from your relative and it gives them another excuse to ask about your studies and you start questioning the worth of being the ideal and elder respecting child of your family when you hear the words, “beta party nahi kar rhe?”

Ananya Tiwari a third-year BA (Honors) Sociology student from Hindu College, said, “You know you’re adulting when you have to give an entrance exam on your birthday.

21st Birthday Expectations vs Reality

Expectation: (Akshay Kumar singing) Party all night, party all night!

Image Credits: Youtube
Image Credits: Youtube

Reality: Pulling an all-nighter cuz ENTRANCEAHDBJSSHSHS..”

Priyanshi Banerjee, a student of Lady Sri Ram College said, “Birthdays were never a matter of excitement to me. But with the exams teaming up with my birthday for the next three years just makes it even duller. But if I have to see the silver lining, at least I would be saving myself from giving treats.”

You obviously cannot NOT mention the freedom you’d get from throwing parties and giving treats. You don’t have to constantly worry about making sure that everyone has a good time. And let’s not ignore all the money you would be saving. Apart from this, years down the line, when you and your friends would be together discussing the worst birthday stories, you’d have tons and can go like hold my beer realising that it finally paid off.

So to all those who have their birthdays this end-semester exams, it’s completely normal, you’re not alone.

Feature Image Credits: Tumblr

Avni Dhawan

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Social Anxiety Disorder: A Fresher’s Perspective

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The excitement of meeting new people, making friends, and knowing more about university life is what is on the minds of freshers. But it is not the same for people with Social Anxiety Disorder.

Social Anxiety Disorder or SAD, more commonly known as social phobia is one of the most common anxiety disorders. People suffering from this disorder tend to excuse themselves from attending social gatherings, parties, and often find it difficult to meet new people, initiate a conversation and make friends. Socialising is really difficult for them. A lot of times, they come across as shy or even arrogant. In simple words, they might be called an introvert but suffering from SAD is different from being an introvert. The constant worry that is on their mind, the panic attacks that they might get even on the thought of attending a social event is what describes a socially phobic person.

Leaving school and joining college is a big turning point in our lives. However, this brings excitement to some while fear to others. For people suffering from SAD, the fear of coming out of the cocoon of school life and stepping in the big wide world of college is very high. In this new and bigger world, the fear that people face is that they will have to talk to new people, make friends and adjust themselves among a completely new set of people.

On the first day of college, they find themselves in a big pool full of unknown faces. Not knowing whom to talk to, what to say, how to start a conversation is very common. You might find people who are very bubbly and try talking to everyone, as well as those who are introverts and prefers not speaking much. But you should not let this affect you. All you need to know is that it is completely fine to be feeling the way you are feeling and it will get better with time.

A second-year student of Gargi College shared her experience of being a socially phobic fresher. She said, “Before the first day of college, I had thoughts that I would end up feeling isolated. This would freak me out. The fear of talking to new people was constantly on my mind. But I realised that it was not just me. However, one year into college I have a group of five friends, and they are the people I can fall back upon. You need to know that everyone is sailing in the same boat and all your other classmates are also just out of school. It is not easy to step out of your comfort zone but with the right people by your side, it becomes much better. You might not find your set of ‘right people’ on the first day but you will soon find them.”

Finding your best friend on the first day of college is not really possible. Finding your gang takes time. It is very common to feel lonely and not have anyone to talk to. But this does not mean that you will not make friends throughout your college life. You will surely meet people who might turn out to be your friends for life. But do not rush into anything.

Do not feel pressurized and don’t let the situation become a source of worry and panic for you. You might also see some ‘newly become friends’ going out and chilling while you might be sitting in some corner alone trying to avoid social gatherings. Don’t let such things make you feel worried. Get over the thoughts that you will have to be alone forever. Because that is not true and you will find people in whose company you will feel comfortable.

A student of Kamala Nehru College shared her experience and said, “I have always felt petrified in meeting new people. In school, I had a bunch of friends who made me feel comfortable but when I entered college, I was struggling to make friends while I saw some people go out every day with their new friends. This made me anxious. So, I joined them. I did not enjoy but I did this just to make an image in front of some people. But today, when I look back at it, I realise how stupid I was. Today, I have a group of people who make me feel much better. It took me one whole year to find them. Wait for the right time and things will eventually fall in place. You are not as lonely as you think you are.”

It might be difficult for you but you need to realise that social phobia doesn’t have to control you. Be comfortable. Get over the thoughts of embarrassing yourself. Stop thinking about what everyone else thinks and have fun in college.

Feature Image Credits: FTI Portfolios

Priya Chauhan

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