A new batch of freshers recently stepped into Mount Carmel College
The air was thick with excitement. The anticipation of stepping into a new phase in one’s life was tempered with the fear of what’s in store. It was a mixed feeling but nevertheless the girls looked like they’d made up their mind to give it their best shot, no matter what.
Mount Carmel College opened its doors to the first year degree students last week. It was a mature, confident and forthcoming group of young women who were sure of what they wanted from the college and had their three years all planned up.
Metrolife spoke to a few degree students and was amazed by their level of confidence. There was no fear, no anxiety and the two years of PUC had done them a lot of good in shedding their inhibitions.
Parents too hung around and patiently sat through the orientation programme, speeches and a small presentation about the college. For once, it was not students but parents who sat on the popular MCC driveway. “I have twins, a boy and a girl. My daughter has joined in the first year degree and I am anxious for her to get a good start,” says Kavitha. Sujatha Ramakrishnan is a former Carmelite and she wanted her daughter to study in the same college. “I studied here and I want my daughter to experience life in one of the City’s most prestigious colleges. Of course, the college has changed a lot from the time I studied. But studying here will do a lot of good,” she says.
The faculty did well to introduce the college, its culture, courses and its discipline in a friendly manner. Unlike the typical long speeches, they packaged it in such a way that the students could grasp it well. Addressing the students during the orientation, head of department of zoology, C M Vimala, pointed out that the college has an uncompromising sense of discipline and has set some high standards for itself.
“We expect you to be disciplined on campus. There are a couple of lanes opposite our college in Vasanthanagar such as ‘lover’s lane’, ‘calamity lane’ and ‘loafers lane’ (which have been christened by students themselves). We don’t want our students to hang around there and have the residents complaining,” she says.
The college, the first year degree students said, had caught their fancy when they were in school. They say that the courses offered were one of a kind, while a few others fell for the glamour element, saying that the most beautiful women had passed out of the portals of this institution. But they all seemed determined to strike a balance between academics and extracurricular activities. Sapna Srinath, a science student says, “This is one among the most prestigious institutions. I want to specialise in biotechnology and I don’t think there is a better place to go than MCC.”
Varsha S, a commerce student says, “I have a lot of friends from PUC who have enrolled for degree and the commerce department has the best of faculty who always attempt to go beyond the prescribed curriculum.”
Sunitha Ramsunder, an arts student says, “I am looking forward to ‘Cul -Ah’, the annual fest of MCC. I’ve heard so much about it that I am waiting to witness it first hand.”
The orientation concluded with a performance by the members of the Indian Dance Association of the college.