Mystory@Debarshi Deb: Classrooms give you only 20% of the overall knowledge

Studying in Christ University has been one of my many dreams in life and I am happy that I achieved it. The moment I got to know that I had to study in Bangalore, I decided I will either study in Christ University or not study at all.

Admission to B Com course in Christ University consists of three stages: Written Assignment, Micro Presentation and Personal Interview. I had prepared very well for the written assignment as well as the micro presentation. Since micro presentation could be of any current topic, I researched about all possible topics. I had downloaded various apps from how to be cracking interviews at once to essay topics and what not. I also devoted a lot of time in studying for the entrance exam.

Getting into my dream college

Come admission day and I had butterflies in my stomach. Especially after I saw the number of aspirants. They were so many. It seemed like an event was happening and free food was being served. I sat for the written assignment and got selected for the next round. The next round was micro presentation and personal interview. Luckily, the interview panel members were very supportive. They did not ask me to make a presentation. I got to know later that micro presentation is for those students who lack self-confidence or did not have good communication skills.

Instead of micro presentation, they asked me MBA/UPSC exam questions based on Logical Reasoning. I could not answer any question. Even then they showed interest in me.

I’d like to share a small incident from my interview. I had no clue about the fact that classes at Christ University started at 6: 30 AM. One of the interviewers asked, "So how do you plan on waking up at 6? Are you able to wake up early?" For a moment I wanted to ask them why 6 but thankfully did not. I randomly replied that I am a morning person and it won’t be difficult for me at all. And then I was subjected to 6.30 am classes for 3 years.

In the evening, I was eagerly awaiting the result, when my sister came to me and asked me to fetch something from downstairs. When I came back my sister, my father and my mother were sitting with grim faces. My sister said, "you did not make it".

My world was shattered. I went outside and shed a few tears. Suddenly dad came out and told me they were pulling my leg. Two days later I was called to take admission.  I was at the top of the world. I was on cloud 9. I finally got in Christ. I had made it. Dream achieved.

My college life

My college life was great. In fact, 6.30 am classes were fun! Because in the class of 90, if 60 students are sleeping and you are not one of them, it is actually amusing.

I am glad I chose B Com Professional as my course. B Com Professional is very different from other Commerce courses like B Com Honours. We got more practical knowledge as our subjects were practical oriented and our faculties were real life professionals who were working as well as teaching.

We also had a stricter dress code. It was compulsory for boys to wear formal clothes on Thursdays which was done just to get us accustomed to the corporate environment.

Activity hour was another unique feature of our department. The activity hour was meant to develop soft skills. We were asked to give impromptu speeches on various topics, do activities like selling a product, etc.

Those hours were amazing and truly helped all of us to let go of the stage fear and gain confidence in public speaking.

Mentorship programme, another unique feature, involved a senior student mentoring a junior student.

In the first two years, I did not take studies seriously but in third year I realized I have wasted a lot of time and missed many opportunities.

So in the final year, I started participating in events be it literary fests or business fests or entrepreneurship events or Model United Nations, I participated in all of them and I realized that the knowledge we get in the class is only 20% of the overall knowledge. Rest of it is in the outside world.

My three years in Graduation was not wasted and for that I want to only and only thank my department, my HOD and my Christ University for the wonderful opportunities and the memories.

About the Author:

I am Debarshi Deb. I am currently working at Cue Learn Pvt Ltd as an Associate-Partner Onboarding. My hobbies are singing, poetry, watching football, reading books and trvelling. I have a keen interest in stock market.