Written by: Katyayani Mishra
A Rat Race
When we are in college, everyone pushes us to follow a mindless path- a rat race. A race, a path that ultimately serves no purpose. Oh, after you graduate, you’ll get a job; you need to train yourself for a 9-5 job and learn how to handle life’s pressures. Do me a favour, my dear readers. At some point in your life, watch the film: Tamasha by Imtiaz Ali; it will change your perspective on being forced into doing something you don’t want to do. Yet again, people will tell you to chase your dreams, and you might be like me (to be honest, I’m not the only one), who won’t quite know how to do what you truly desire. Here’s something I’ve learnt: it’s about what YOU want to do for the rest of your life, and not be like your parents’ generation – bluntly, frustrated. Right from the first day (as mentioned in 3 idiots), there’s a race of millions of sperm to fertilise the egg to create you, and when you are born, people make you follow a path that’s not really yours; you are indirectly made to go down a route that aligns with their wishes.
The Cycle of Pressure
When you are at school, you feel pressured to perform better than your peers, and when taking your exams, you are competing. In college, there’s a struggle to be unique and true to yourself. At work, you are told to find a work-life balance, but I’m sorry to say, that’s not how life actually works. If only there were a template, and if only we could truly follow the advice we receive and what we want to do, things would be different. Some of us survive until the very end by dying inside every day. Others simply go through life. And, as a classical writer once said, I completely agree: show me a man with foolish dreams, and I’ll show you a happy soul.
The Hidden Truth
Why do people often hide the true nature of what a college experience entails? College life is a journey of trial and error; you learn valuable lessons along the way. It’s like hearing successful individuals urge you to chase your dreams and turn your passions into a career. Every mistake, whether yours or your friends’, serves as a life lesson, much like the tales from the Panchatantra.
College Wilderness
You enter college filled with hope and expectations, only to realise that you’ve been thrown into a world filled with people who can be as dangerous as wild animals, ready to prey on you. Some may charm you with their beauty, misleading you into trusting them. Unfortunately, in college, often that beauty is a facade. If we apply the cliché that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” we might conclude that the ugliness of some people and the lessons they teach us ultimately make life richer and more fulfilling. After countless attempts and failures (and no, I’m not exaggerating), you might finally hit the mark with your friendships. You stumble and rise repeatedly until you find those few friends or girls who help you cope with your struggles. Isn’t that what girlhood is all about? With whom can you share your tears? Who can you casually chat with? Who allows you to be your true self? College plays a crucial role in helping you discover this.
Finding a Balance
College is not just a phase; it’s an experience that profoundly reveals truths about yourself and your relationships, whether they’re with friends, family, or romantic partners. Stepping into the world of college forces you to confront a vast world that could be your oyster if you dare to break free from what holds you back. It’s a rollercoaster, a daring plunge, a battle, and at times, it feels like a deserted island that you must navigate on your own. What’s the takeaway? You learn how to survive while reconciling with your past self. You realise that you can neither be completely vulnerable nor entirely fake; it’s about striking a balance between the two.
College experience encapsulates all these vibrant dynamics. Sharing deeper insights about the realities of college life can indeed be the most exhilarating phase of your journey. While we seek to challenge any misconceptions, never forget this is just a glimpse of an electrifying teaser of what life has to offer. Many more surprises await on the horizon, but remember that this is merely the beginning of a truly thrilling adventure. College is just a trailer in the film of life.
