They Never Said That

3 years, 9 trimesters, 43 subjects and a Business Plan - Academically sums up our tenure in college. It was 3 years back that we took a decision to appear for a management entrance, to fight for a place in the undergraduate course of one of the most respected B-Schools of India. And we made it.

But today, when we are about to leave, looking back and reflecting upon the journey and experience of the 3 years in this building, there is much to ponder about as to whether we are leaving as 'relieved' people given that the tough times faced here are over, or as adults ready for the dirty world called - Corporate. My heart says the former, but my mind knows it is the latter.

One thing I am sure about is that each of us will leave with a question - "What did we learn here?" And my own answer to this will be - "Depends on what we were willing to." Many of us leave with a glamourous grade sheet stating posh CGPAs ready to go one step ahead for an MBA here or abroad, many of us with the prestige of securing the best of placements, many of us ready to take the throne of our family's establishment and many who made our own mark by starting up on our own, beginning a new era of independence in life.

Apart from that, there was much more. I stepped into the Institute, knowing I ain't here 'just for books and notes'. Perhaps that is the reason I took a keen interest in sitting through the orientation on Day 1 and getting information about the various cells. And that was the day I knew what is in store for me. So did most of us. And so the life of BBA in this B-School started. Many who had come from a Science/Arts background took time to settle into a commerce field. That taught change. And even after three years, the subject 'Accountancy' is synonymous to a horror show which no one wants to watch. This taught us to be patient and that nothing is achieved overnight. And soon, the efforts to join the cells of our interest and take charge in participation and organization of events started. And for those who managed to get through, this taught success. For those who didn't, it taught them about something called a second chance. 3 trimesters in a year, all beginning and getting over in a flash. 5 subjects and each with a project or an extra written test inclusive. This taught us working till late hours. Getting messages of last minute time table changes close to midnight. This taught us how to adjust in emergencies. Uploading of notes and finalizing of the syllabus days before the exams. This taught us how to do more in less time. Endless presentations and reports. This taught us how to stay up late for 'productive work'. 

Getting involved in various activities taught us how to multitask. Literary arts and magazine got the writer and intellect out of people. Debating brought out a perspective of logic in any matter. For which being updated with the latest happenings in the world was required. Drama, dance and music brought out the exposure of displaying your talent on stage. Social events got the human out of us to contribute to the society. Sports got the quality and teamwork out of some. Placement activities taught us how the Corporate functions. And having wrong people for the job can just demolish the entire set-up. Business competitions and National and International level case challenges got the practical application out of the theoretical knowledge gained.

Amidst all this was the constant opposition and hindrance from certain factors. There were always those people who were ready to take the opportunity when someone else made a mistake. Inter-student rivalry and dissent taught us how to deal with petty politics. Fighting against the management for rights and support taught us to protest and rebel against injustice. Traveling Nationally and abroad gave us an outlook towards competing against people from different cultural backgrounds.

There was much to learn. And I'm sure many of us did. Yet, many of us are happy to leave finally. College life will be missed, and remembered. But the tough times faced with apathy and mismanagement? Not really. Who would want to be reminded of rules changing without information being disseminated properly? About 'attendance' being a major bone of contention, significant enough to change the shape of one's career? About the trysts with the department that handles management of 'examinations' and their blatantly disgraceful attitude towards students? About rules changing in between examinations all of a sudden, startling us? About results being declared just before the commencement of the next phase of papers? About the 'hospitality' received in the library and the roasting of one's peace of mind by the staff for any minor reason? About the insulting attitude of a few visiting faculty who considered coming to share their knowledge and training us as a big favor to mankind? About the meaningless assignments that just wasted our time but had no impact on our grades or knowledge, rather than much that could have been done but wasn't because 'they didn't think likewise'? About the syllabus being repeated again and again but no new content being introduced? About the robbing of our pockets for no convincing reason? About getting nothing in return of what was promised (read: Industrial Visit), and when it was, the reason was just to promote their own University and the different courses available? About the running around to a minimum of 5 places and 5 people for one small approval? The level of bureaucracy that kept us waiting for one-third of an entire day during application for re-examinations?

And today, when we are just a week away from leaving this place, there are mixed emotions in mind. We did have good times, with few professors and external experts alike. We had blasts in birthdays of our batch mates. We did enjoy on those short trips with our friend circles or classmates. We did move around during late hours at the beaches or some restaurant watching a match. We did have enjoyable moments in college taking one another's case. And yet, somewhere there is a relief, thanking God that it is all over. Or is it? Will the big bad world be actually worse? Or definitely not as bad as this? Or just the same? Who knows? Perhaps we are soon on the verge of discovering the truth and cracking the mystery.

In the end, after thinking and reflecting, we do realize there was some 'take-away' from here, some things that we managed to snatch away. Perhaps that will help us in the life ahead. In our work places later on, or during our higher studies later in some phase of life. But who would have thought we would have experienced all this? There was a time, during childhood, when the world was all about smiles and joy, about games and picnics, about being loved and giving love. And at that time, they never said that there will be such a time ahead. We joined college not knowing what is ahead. They never said that we will face so many circumstances. We came in as students, but they never said that we will be leaving as individuals. They never said that. But we realized it.