Moulding young minds

A student’s journey through his/her college days is nothing short of an exciting one. The different activities that they participate and the clubs they are part of, help them in shaping their personalities.

Some of the students talk about how such activities have helped them grow. When functioning as a group, clashes between ideas are bound to happen. Tejaswini Mohan, general secretary of St Joseph’s College (Autonomous), says that it can get challenging to organise fests. “To come up with brand new ideas or a concept and to execute it smoothly is always a challenge. I have also learnt to be alert and step in when a crisis comes across,” says Tejaswini.

She adds that taking care of projects and guiding people to follow certain steps can be an ordeal sometimes. “The student body and I have learnt to be more responsible and to have clear communication among ourselves,” she says.

Growing on a personal level is a big part of college life. Aparna Raturi, a third-year student of The Oxford College of Law, says that she has been an integral part of the fashion team in college and also does professional photoshoots. “Every girl wants to look pretty and be known as a stylish person. The shoots have helped develop a sense of style in me. I feel more confident now as a person,” says Aparna. She adds that letting the designer use a model to express his or her creativity also means letting go of inhibitions. “This has helped me grow as a person. I have been able to keep my mind open to new experiences and I have also grown creatively.” 

Taking part in sports and other activities helps one in learning about the benefits of fitness and broadens one’s mind to a myriad of things. Crystal Clement, a second-year BBA student of St Joseph’s College of Commerce, is a core member of the dance and football teams. She says, “I have learnt to keep myself open to suggestions. I practise everyday and it helps to keep me fresh the entire day. Also, taking part in a dance event or a game requires utmost concentration. I’ve learnt that teamwork is the base of any group activity.” Crystal also says that she has learnt to take competition in her stride. “More than winning or losing, it’s always the experience that matters,” she adds.

Leading a group in activities means bringing together different mindsets. Manasa Ravoor, secretary of the Indian Music Association, Mount Carmel College, says that the experience has been different from that of being just a club member. “There have been instances when there were  some last minute confusion. It’s when the team comes together that the importance of mutual respect and team-building comes to the forefront,” says Manasa. 

One also learns to be more patient after being an active member of the student council. Apoorva Sharma, cultural head with Army Institute of Fashion and Design, says that she has learnt to let go of certain things. “Dealing with alumni and people from different walks of life can become challenging. I have learnt to take a deep breath and move on,” she says. Apoorva says that different cultural activities have also helped her and her team to gain more exposure and confidence. “We are forever ready to take up the next challenge,” she says.