It’s finally here! College starts soon for all you freshers, and trust me, I totally understand your plight. The confusion, the anticipation, and the nerves. Hold on to this feeling, young padawan, because soon enough, time will fly and you’ll be out of this institution. Don’t you wish you could take a look into the future, and know exactly what was going to happen? Yeah, I did too. Seeking for college advice is normal.
I thoroughly enjoyed my college years— I met new people, lived in a place I hadn’t before and made sure to push myself out of my comfort zone. Yet, I made a lot of blunders (as anyone should!) that I learned from throughout the course of my 3 years. When I look back, I realise that a lot of these problems could have been avoided or tackled better if I had just known about them!
So, I asked Team MissMalini to give their one best piece of college advice for starting college that they wish someone had told them. Here we go!
1. Getting out of your comfort zone
At least participate in one extra curricular activity in college. Extra curricular activities help a lot in personal development.
—Neha Verma, Executive Producer & Director
If you move to a new city for college, try and walk around as much as you can. It’s the best way to explore a city and create a map in your mind so that you don’t get lost.
—Alisha Fernandes, Features Director
Talk to people even if they aren’t like you and network a lot. Try to make the most of your time in college!
—Pooja Maheshwary, Features Writer
Do not just be a nerd who goes to college, attends lectures, is just stuck to his/her friend circle and goes back home. College days are the best phase in anyone’s life—better than even school! You need to make the most amount of memories in those days. Please participate in extra curriculars in college—be it any groups, any festivals, any teams. It will teach you so much and you will meet new people, as well as boost your confidence.
—Sheena Makharia, Key Account Manager
2. Making friends
Choose a co-ed college!
—Neha Verma, Executive Producer & Director
Don’t follow every Bollywood movie and get into a relationship immediately! Make sure you take some time to explore who you are, and build memories with friends as well.
—Pooja Maheshwary, Features Writer
Befriend people who resonate with you and make you feel good about yourself, not people who make you feel like you need to be friends with them just because everyone else is. Fitting in might feel important right now, but down the line, you’ll realise it was just a waste of energy and time.
—Suruchi Patwary, Lifestyle Writer
Find friends from all over the country so that you can learn and expose yourself to as much as possible, whether it is new food, new cultural practices or any other things you might not have known otherwise. The worst thing you can do is stick to your own.
—Alisha Fernandes, Features Director
3. Classes and Assignments
Plan and register for your choice of classes ASAP so you can design your ideal schedule that suits your lifestyle. Also, if in a large class, always make time to have a one–on–one facetime with the professor. She/he will remember it!
—Asif Rizwanullah, Human Resources Director
Always complete your assignments—no matter how boring! Grades don’t matter, but still, try to make the most of your time in college.
—Pooja Maheshwary, Features Writer
Engage with seniors as much as possible, they’ll get out first and pass on vital industry information to you.
—Aishwarya Marimuthu, Scriptwriter
Have a planner to stay on top of all your tasks and projects. Don’t leave anything for the last minute because if you do, you’ll have to stay up all night. Dark circles aren’t cute, sis!
—Kathleen Lancelot, Features Intern
4. Beyond the classroom
There are often discounts for students in many places. I would have saved so much money had I known! I was in a hurry once to make a train pass as it was during the final degree exam and I got it for free. They said something about it being free for female students. If only I had known 3 years ago!
—Aishwarya Marimuthu, Scriptwriter
Be smart about your expenses. If you’re not smart at the beginning of the month when you’re flush with cash, you will most definitely be scrounging around for change for bus fare at the end of the month.
—Alisha Fernandes, Features Director
Be yourself and stay true to it. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd. So, be open to all kinds of adventures, but only the ones that truly speak to you.
—Rashmi Bhosle, Sr. Features Writer
Learn how to cook a few dishes that remind you of home so that you can self soothe when you’re feeling especially home sick.
—Alisha Fernandes, Features Director
Don’t wait until graduation to start on your resume. Before college, (if you know your dream job) write or google the perfect dream resume for the role and industry you want to work in after graduating. Work backwards from there to achieve relevant experience and knowledge.
—Asif Rizwanullah, Human Resources Director
Find your dive bar. Love it hard. Also, make friends with your college watchman and canteen guy.
—Alisha Fernandes, Features Director
Quite a lot of good college advice, no? I sure wish I had someone to tell me these things 4 years ago! Nevertheless, one thing I can say for sure is that it is OK to make mistakes during college. Whether you pay heed to this advice or just brush past it, you will be totally fine. Don’t worry, sit back and enjoy the rollercoaster of your college life.
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