Waiting to break free into college life, they marvel at the freedom and the immense opportunities.
Most of the I PUC girls Metrolife interacted with on the opening day of first year pre-university of Mount Carmel College, said that they found the sudden loss of the status of ‘kids’ quite intimidating. However, their only sense of confidence stems from the fact that they are in the institution of their choice. After all, the desire to be a Carmelite had been a childhood dream for most of them.
The excitement was writ large on every student’s face and the teachers too made sure that they played their part to perfection, that is, to make the freshers feel at home. Most of them had their cousins, or older siblings who had studied in the college. So they had a fair idea of the college and its surroundings.
Talking about her first day Ayushi, in first year PEBA said that she was running late to college. “I woke up late and had my mother was screaming at me to get to college on time on the first day. So, I literally ran to college. I feel a sense of freedom and can’t wait to enrol into the various events at the college,” she said. Priyanka Antony, PEBA said it was a dream come true for her to join MCC, “It’s not only a reputed college but has some of the best lecturers and I always wanted to study in a disciplined atmosphere.”
Poojitha, in first year PCME was impressed by the greenery in the college. “I like the way they keep the campus clean and this awareness is passed on to every student. I don’t find anyone throwing stuff around, instead they would drop it in the dustbin,” she observed.
Shalini, in first year MEBA said that she chose the college for its sense of autonomy. “The credit courses offered here are among the best and the college provides immense scope to exploit one’s talent,” she said.
The management did it’s bit to make sure that the freshers didn’t feel out of place on the first day. The orientation programme was meant to settle them down as soon as possible. In fact during admissions the teachers selected a first year student to perform on the opening day, “We got a fresher to perform. She instantly agreed and we were witness to her rehearsals a day before the orientation day. This would forge an instant connection with the newcomers,” said Padmalatha, a senior faculty. The first day saw the senior students perform and the various associations come on stage talking about the various activities and inviting participation.
The opening day saw educationist Ali Kwaja talk about the ways students could settle down comfortably without any inhibition, choosing the right friends and how to handle exam pressure.
The college management doesn’t compromise on discipline. This year a discipline committee has been instituted to make sure students don’t violate campus discipline, “The committee will ensure that students keep the corridors clean, adhere to a decent dress code, keep the blackboard clean and maintain a certain decorum on campus. Also no one will be allowed to leave the campus until the college hours are over,” explained Sophia Sharon, Sociology lecturer and head of student welfare organisation.
