It is very important to find something that you are passionate about: Mansi Mokashi

When it was time to choose the stream I wanted to pursue in 11^th and 12^th grade, I was confused between Science and Commerce. My parents advised me to look at the subjects I would be studying within each of them and then decide which subjects I was most excited to study. After doing this exercise I realized that I thought of pursuing Science only because of the expectations of others, but It was not a subject of my interest.

So, I decide to pursue Commerce in 11^th and 12^th grade.

I chose to enroll in the Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) programme because I wanted to continue studying subjects related to Commerce while also not restricting myself to a very specific field of study. The thing that appealed to me the most about Ahmedabad University and eventually made me decide to enroll there was the focus on liberal education, where a student is allowed to choose some of the subjects that they wish to study and not remain restricted to a narrow area of stream. I really liked the idea that I can opt for courses that were not a part of my programme curriculum and that is why I chose Amrut Mody School of Management, Ahmedabad University.

When it was time to start applying for colleges, I checked out what the admission criteria were for each of them. Since, none of the Universities I wanted to apply required any entrance exams or standardized tests, I did not appear for any of them. As for coaching and tutoring, I only attended extra classes for Mathematics since it was the only subject I had difficulty understanding. Other than that I did not attend any coaching or preparatory institutes.

The application process at Ahmedabad University consisted of an online application form and a personal interaction with a faculty panel. It also included fields about extracurricular activities and a personal essay component, known as the ‘Statement of Purpose’. I decided to work on my Statement of Purpose and devoted ample time to it, in order to set my application apart from the other applicants. After I was shortlisted for the personal interaction, I decided to work on my interview skills because I had always been an introvert. So, highlighting some of my strengths in the application form and working on some of my weaknesses helped me get selected for admission.

After completing nearly two and a half years at the University, I am very happy with all the experiences that I have had and the opportunities for growth that I have received. The most important take-away from my time at the university has been the opportunity to find my area of interest and finding a community of like-minded and motivated students.

I started off by taking courses from diverse backgrounds and gradually over two years have learnt that I am most interested in subjects related to Development of Economics and Public Policy. So, most of my subjects now revolve around these fields of study.

Besides academics, I take part in the various literary competitions organized in the university. I am currently working on an undergraduate research programme related to secondary education in Ahmedabad, under the guidance of faculty members. I am also a part of the team working on a Newsletter within the university. I have also worked with the NGO ‘Teach for India’ as a student volunteer and taught students of 3^rd and 4^th grade at a school in Ahmedabad. Currently, I am working with a fellow student on writing a research article on the ‘Provision of Public Healthcare Services in Gujarat’.

My university experience has taught me that great opportunities are always around the corner, we just need to be willing to try out new experiences. I also learnt that it is very important to find something that you are passionate about and find similarly motivated people to help you continue on that path.

About Author:

Hi! I am Manasi Mokashi. I am pursuing B. Com from Amrut Mody School of Mangement. I am a passionate and persistent individual and have always believed in putting effort into something that I love to do and working hard to achieve it. My interests include reading fiction and feminist literature. As a student of commerce, I am also fascinated by social and economic structures that exist around the world and how they shape our lives. Currently, I am working with a fellow university student on a research article.