I don't write for any group of readers. It's myself I write for, because I love it.
However, this is one post I think my fellows would associate with. By fellows I neither mean those 'little' junior friends (don't kill me for this :P), nor I mean the seniors (now pass-outs). I mean my batch mates, who've experienced the similar phase of transition, who, like me are now in third and final year of college.
The first day I assumed we would be walking around as bosses (why shouldn't we? We're super seniors now, after all), attracting respectful glances and surrounded by even more little first year students, who will be approaching us to get that 'information' (on college societies, what else? They haven't lived half a day of their college life and they wanna join a society. Poor souls, little do they know they'll be going nuts by the end of the session). I came to know all my assumptions were pointless, since this is what did NOT happen. I mean we DID walk around as the boss, we DID get respectful glances (I guess we did), but still, it didn't 'feel' the same. It wasn't like last year. Maybe it's a little hard to put into words, but that's what it was. Same, but distinctly different.
For one, there seems to be a back-hold of normal college conversation. All that people want to talk about is the changed pattern of CAT exam or the organizations they would want to work in. It's all really important and enlightening, but just not fun. Why don't they talk about the silly canteen food anymore? Or the ultimate fashion disasters so prevalent in colleges?
Another, and I guess the worst, is the segregation based on the fields of specialization! Two years you've had the fun of your lives with friends who will be your life long buddies, and you don't share a classroom with them anymore! I miss you my friends :/.
We've got to continuously work towards preparing for what lies 'ahead'. (so typical of us Indians, always preparing for tomorrow, with little time to enjoy the present). We've got to prepare for our entrance exams or interviews, so our involvement in ECA societies has to decrease. SO unfair! What about someone like me, who's literally survived on ECAs? It's like you're being deprived of the very things you like the most!
Plus, the teachers expect us to set an example for the juniors. We make one mistake and we're reminded how our actions will affect the future generations! Hello? Did we ever even notice what 'good' deeds our seniors did, let alone learn from it? (I mean, why even bother!)
However, I guess it isn't really that bad, you know. I mean, being the senior-most students, you are asked for advice on a variety of matters. (As if we've grown into geniuses by our third year :P. We blabber anything and the juniors leave all starry eyed, believing the problem will be resolved. But hey, most often, it DOES).
Also, we don't need to run around sticking and making posters or notices anymore! That's not what the super seniors are meant to do! Du-uh! ;)
Plus, for a change, a HUGE change, the security guard doesn't ask for your ID proof anymore. FINALLY he realized that we're normal college students, whom he sees every working day (and sometimes other days too), who've paid their tuition fee and come to college to study (Huhahhahahaa ) and are not any kind of hooligans or vagabonds or possible terrorists!
I now understand why people most often associate the best part of their college life with the sophomore year. You're not a new comer, you know everything there is to know, you interact with both, your juniors and seniors and you get to participate in ECAs a lot! It's simply the best time of your college life! To the sophomores, don't miss out on the fun this year's going to bring you. Look out for every opportunity, grab it and share with friends and most importantly, ENJOY!!!
Love and wishes
An ex-sophomore, a new super-senior!
