The college experience has changed me a lot as a person: Vyomkesh Pandey

I decided to join Amity University, Lucknow since it was clearly the best college in the city and the best for the course which I wanted to go for. I gave an interview and was selected for the same. Other than Amity, I appeared for CLAT exam, BA English entrance in National Post Graduate College and Lucknow University, and AKTU entrance exam. I could not qualify for NLUs but did qualify the rest.

I did a month of self-study for my CLAT examination using the course material from a renowned coaching centre and focused on it. I also happened to go through material from various sources and tried to understand them on my own. Turns out, I got 76 at my first attempt which was better than many who did crash courses and blindly followed the coaching and forgot about the combination of hard work and smart work. Here, I would like to advise you that please give your 100% to self-study and then rely on coaching. As for National PG and LU, I bought a book from a bookstore for the BA entrance exam and for AKTU, I did not study. I wanted to try for Delhi University at one point of time but then dropped the plan.

I was always skeptical about the important choices that I had to make, but then maybe everyone is. Therefore, when it came to deciding the stream after my 10th Boards examination, I had to go for days of overthinking. But then I talked - talked to my friends, relatives, and family about what they thought about these subjects and the career options for me. Still, the more knowledge I got about these things, the more confusing it became.

Then I thought of going for medical, just like that, and opted for PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) but after a month I realized, or panicked, that this wasn't what I wanted. I had a sudden realization that I could not be a doctor, so I went ahead and took Maths as it seemed safer and I could still go for an arts-related subject in my graduation as well as science. I went for Computer as an optional subject because I liked the subject.

After my 12th Board examination, the time for the big decision came - to decide which field to go for and which course to study. At first, engineering seemed like the only good option for a PCM student but since my father himself was an art graduate, he was supportive in exploring other subjects. So I talked again but this was a big decision now and I needed insight into myself.

I had given CLAT but still, I wasn't sure of committing 5 years to a single course at that time, it seemed restrictive. Luckily, I found a career counselor and gave a test which showed me the best career options for me, and then based on that I decided what all I can be - preferably an IAS officer (which I had an idea of but wasn't sure till now). Since I was into literature, poetry, novels and stuff, I decided that English would be the best course for me, and I could still go for law or management or anything I want to, after my graduation.

On a normal working day, I spend most of my day in the college, from around 10 AM to 5:30- 6:00 PM or 3:30-4:00 PM, which is a lot now when I think. As for classes, I like all of them equally as it is an interesting blend of different subjects but a few can be boring, depending on my mood. So, mostly, I attend all the classes enough to maintain 90% attendance, but bunk a few now and then.

About extra-curricular activities, I am involved in the dramatic club “Memisis” in my department. I play songs on my guitar sitting somewhere or draw large sketches on the blackboard, play a little football occasionally as well. If given a chance I would like to join the photography club.

The college experience has changed me a lot as a person. Meeting so many people made me realize how the world is, how people can be and how I need to be around certain people, how friendships work or how my own mind and emotions work. College taught me to be happy because no one else is in charge of your happiness or no one needs to be. Other than this, the dramatics club gave me so much confidence, helped in my personality development and oratory skills and gestures, as well as helped in the better understanding of literature and society.

Studying Literature made it all seem complimentary to one another and keeps college interesting. The opportunities where I get to perform on stage, whether it is for music or drama, has helped me gain a lot of confidence. And meeting so many people gave me many friends and insight about people.

About the Author:

I am Vyomkesh Pandey and am currently pursuing BA(H) English from Amity University, Lucknow. I would like to define myself as an artistic person; the reason being my intense interest in art. My hobbies include sketching, poetry and prose writing, playing guitar, theatre acting, and reading novels and short stories. Other than this, I am fond of photography to some extent and also love stargazing and observing nature. I perform small musical performances occasionally at social events or college events. I also take part in theatrical plays or monologues in college events and inter/intra-college competitions.