Mystory@Anirudh Menon: How I made the most of my college life

Mystory@Anirudh Menon

I was fascinated by electronic gadgets and chemical formula. When I was in Standard X, I was really good in molecular formula and chemical equations and that encouraged me opt for Science stream. Though, I did not score well in XI and XII, I made it to a college where I chose subjects same as those in Standard XII (those subjects which were relatively easy). If XII was a concentrated acid, the F.Y. BSc was diluted one. Since the college was a self-financed one and a pretty new one compared to others, there was no formal entrance examination. However, the principal, Dr. D. A Raval, was very particular about the students who he was taking in. He was a gem of a person. So, my parents and I were very much impressed and I took admission in Natubhai V Patel College of Pure & Applied Sciences. We did not even bother to check other colleges.

Given a second chance, I would once again join the same college and go through the entire journey once again, except that instead of taking up Instrumentation (which was not by choice), I would strive to get into Information Science and learn basics of computing.

A lot of credit goes to my parents who enrolled me there, but I would like to thank two individuals for making me who I am today. One is our beloved principal Late Dr. D. A. Raval, who was a fiery and energetic individual who carried this amazing vibe not just among students but also among the teachers. He used to always ensure that I was not losing track. Secondly, a teacher whom I respect from the bottom of my heart and who holds a special place in my life is my English teacher Ms. Sonal Patel. She always used to raise the benchmark and push me to achieve, not just academically but even my overall personality. I learned the art of writing essays and articles from her. Though I had few stints in public speaking during school days, Sonal Madam removed my fear of facing an audience of 10000 plus when she told me to participate in ‘Volcano’, an inter college youth festival. Debates, elocution, quiz and what not, she was always there to guide me. Even before I took up management for my post-graduation, I had learned how to manage a portfolio under the guidance of Sonal Madam. When it was time to bid goodbye to the college after completion of 3 magical years, I was very emotional because I knew that I won’t be seeing the teachers and the place anymore. Though there were frequent visits to college after that, just to meet the teachers and see the place, I had started missing it. Today, it has been close to 14 years that I passed out of the college and I still miss NVPAS (that’s what we call our beloved institute).

Choosing Science as a stream was by choice but when I had to pick up Instrumentation in S.Y BSc, it was because I had no choice. However, I started accepting the subject and then I eventually started enjoying it. The first year was actually a very bad one for me. I was put in a Gurukul instead of a regular hostel. Nothing wrong with the Gurukul because my parents wanted the best for me. But I went astray because I was not focused and always indulged in activities outside college, not attending classes and lab sessions which eventually caused a catastrophe for me as I was barred from appearing in the University Exam.

I did not know what to do, and then when my parents came to know about this, my dad was furious and my mother kept quiet. I knew I had made a huge mistake and I had shattered my parents dream. They met the principal and Sonal Madam and then they shared the whole story. The best part was that they heard my part of the story as well and that’s when they decided to give me a second chance and I got enrolled in first year again. This time my parents did not put me in any hostel and I used to commute with Sonal Madam for initial few months, till the time I settled down.

About the Author:

I am 36 years old, and working in the Information Technology industry. I have a full time job and I also work as a freelance content writer and voice over artist. I have my own consulting firm named Menco Consulting Group. I started my professional journey as a management trainee in a call centre of a reputed group. Today after 12 years, I am into Sales, Marketing and Customer Relationship and I really enjoy what I am doing.