Life is all about change, and while in college, these changes happen at breakneck speed. Everything seems like a surprise and comes as a learning experience. It is one of the biggest transitions a young adult can make.
That being said, my first year in college has been a time filled with anticipation, anxiety, and wonderful discoveries. There were a lot of thoughts in my head after completing my schooling. And why not? After all, college life has always looked so glamorous in movies, songs, and literature.
So I expected college life to be all fun and play, but of course, the best way to find it out is by experiencing it yourself. It seems like only yesterday that I had appeared for my counseling session at MIT. Between the first day and today, six months have gone by, and I’ve surely had some memorable experiences, which have helped me find my feet.
As a teenager staying away from home for the first time, I had a lot of questions in mind. The idea of staying in a new place surrounded by strangers was a terrifying thought at first. It was both exciting and scary at the same time.
Love at first sight
When I finally landed in Manipal, it was love at first sight! The greenery in and around the campus was the perfect tonic to soothe the nerves. The serene environment, the beautiful weather, and the huge campus blew me away. During my six months of stay in Manipal, I have learned so much about myself and others, and it has changed me in several ways.
With great freedom comes greater responsibility
Funnily enough, the most interesting challenge I came across was getting used to the new found freedom. I could make it a habit to skip classes and have all the fun in the world. However, that is when I really understood the meaning of true responsibility. I’m slowly coming to realize that with great freedom comes greater responsibility. It’s ultimately my choices, which will shape my life ahead.
College life is a melting pot of experiences. Manipal has introduced me to a diverse group of people, which is helping me broaden my perspective. Some people stay with you, some don’t, but the lessons stay with you forever.
Sailing the ‘friend’ship
This also made me realize the importance of friends. I truly believe that anyone can be happy no matter where they go, as long as they find good friends. These friends grow on us and play an important role in shaping us as individuals. One of the biggest changes, which I was unprepared for, was moving from an almost cost-free lifestyle to one where everything had a price tag. My friends helped me get settled, and I’m sure we’ll have more wonderful times and learning experiences together in the future.
All in all, these six months, filled with bittersweet experiences, have turned out to be so much better than I had imagined. Like Archibald MacLeish once said, “The only thing more painful than learning from experience is not learning from experience”. So I believe, my next few years at Manipal will involve some self-discovery, making great friends, and creating wistful memories.
