College
My very important years.
Happy Holi!!
I am a full-grown adult with now a new business, but the one thing that hasn’t changed since I left college is the fact that I miss it here and there time and gain.
Mind you, I am not someone who misses things in general, old friendships or places or people I don’t miss things or people or school.
College is the only exception.
I genuinely think my college has shaped me so much that my entire personality is somewhat changed by it. 5 years of surviving in an architecture college was so much torture, but I have never pushed myself as hard as I did in college. Maybe because I had tasted freedom for the first time. Also, I was lucky to live in three different cities during my 5 years, Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Moved 5 homes with 5 roommates, made me learned a lot about myself, my likes and dislikes, and the kind of friends I really want around. Also developed a trust with my parents in all of this that I will be fine alone in any city, all thanks to college. Being young, wild, and free (responsibly).
How did I manage college, fests, extra competitions, travel, and so much more? Now I am tired after a very standard, normal day. Is this aging? I’m only 27.
Architecture has really shaped me subconsciously, the way I think, the way I question things, and my aesthetics.
A lot of you might think that, yes ofc you miss college because you didn’t have to think about money.
We travelled tipsy to save money, stayed in tents/hostels while we travelled, ate from stalls, shared outfits on clubbing nights, stayed at friends’ places who lived with family so that we are well fed, urgh, it was so wholesome. Now, my bank account has thrice what it used to, but I still do not have that sense of satisfaction.
I loved designing because there was no concept of practicality. I loved socialising because no one forced me to do it, we used to host dinners, cook, and live with friends, always late for class, always on the hit list of teachers, but always excelled at everything.
All this, or maybe I miss living with friends.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love my life and my work, but I would never trade that time of my life for anything else. Yeah, there are good days, then bad ones, and mostly a trip planned that helps me move always, haha.
I know people who haven’t experienced college life, and that just makes me sad because no words can really describe that experience.
(I have always loved to be on the stage)
No wonder Bollywood romanticises college so much, it’s the only thing me and Bollywood have in common.
College made me grateful for every facility I have at home, and I appreciate my family more than usual. I just met my friends in Goa for a wedding, and everything is the same. I am meeting them again at a wedding, and I am just so excited again.
Things are not the same; now some have spouses and some have business, so it will never be the same. Yeah, I am aware that change is the only constant. Nevertheless, some things can just be relived in our memories, and we can revisit them time and again, for what it’s worth.
Keep them close, you know who I am talking about. Yes! The one who kept coming to your mind while reading this.
Sending love,
See you in the next one:)