College- the epitome of youth, the realm where you never sleep- the greener pastures with no homework, the place with ever-chill; That’s exactly what we imagine (and slave for) while having rote- marathons before boards, AKA the ultimate doom. What nobody tells you is that the place created with these delusions only exists on the big screen, under the banner of one Dharma Productions. With that in mind, we bring to you some myths that need immediate debunking, and what better place to start with than our own Delhi University(DU)?
(1) “Everything will be easy and sorted once you get to college, beta”
Don’t believe in this line, EVER. In fact, run away as fast as you can from this aunty/ uncle. S/He clearly does not know the full-time confusion that shrouds you like a second layer of clothing, once you step inside the gates of a DU college, or any college in fact.
Unlike school, you don’t sit in one room the entire day, you don’t always have the same class with the same people and you don’t know what to do with all the free periods. The names of the classes change with every semester, and as soon as you get comfortable with the routine of one semester, Bam! it’s a new semester already. You find yourself back to square one, this time though, a little more ready than the first time.
(2) Attending classes is optional
No, ni, AND na! Attending classes is of utmost importance, unless you want to be completely lost the next time you do decide to step into reality. Professors cover large chunks of syllabus at one go, and the tutorials hold no importance till you attend the actual class. In DU, you get marks for attendance, which truly feel like a blessing from God when you look down at the product of you all-nighter before the Internal. So grab a bar, snatch a coffee, and sit your tushie down at that early morning (8:30 LOL) class from hell!
(3) You’ll have tonnes of free time!
Not if you join extra-curricular activities. DU has one of the most active and varied social scenes, where you can find some activity that you can participate in. Be it your quintessential MUNs, to Open debates on topics ranging from the Need For Reservations, to the Price rise of Bread Pakoras by the chai-wale uncle! You come to realize all your potential in college, and be ready to be amazed when you find out all the things you can do when you’re given an environment which gives you ample room to experiment and try new things.
(4) Colleges situated in North Campus are the best (and the only ones!)
All lies! Colleges affiliated to DU are fairly scattered all over Delhi. The North Campus colleges have their own charm, yes, but the off-campus ones have their exclusivity. They’re like those secret parties that people have when the rest of the world is asleep. More often than not, they’re these gems kept away from the mainstream, with immaculately manicured lawns and facilities that would make the University campus colleges go green (figuratively and literally) with envy!
(5) The Professors are extremely strict
For the first few days, yes. But as soon as the ice breaks, there are no better people than the professors! Extremely passionate and driven, they go out of their ways at times to help you if you walk up to them. Many of us don’t find the idea of talking to a professor outside the classroom very appetizing, without knowing that these people are storehouses of knowledge on a wide array of topics, and are probably the best people to approach if there is an issue you’re facing.
(6) The students are shady (especially the guys), and extremely LOUD
There are so many people, from so many walks of life who attend college! The chance of you bumping into the above-mentioned category of humans is pretty slim, to be very honest. About the “LOUD” crowd, who doesn’t like screaming on top of their lungs when Farhan Akhtar is performing live for SRCC’s College fest, or when you have the best Sufi-meets-Rock nights at IPCW? Delhi University also plays host to the best college fests in the entire nation!
(7) The students always dress like they’re going to a party
This myth was clearly started by somebody who ardently followed Myth #2 on this list. Once in college, you slowly find out that people wane away, but that pair of sweats you purchased at Sarojini, never lets you down. They’re your best friends in the race to getting those attendance marks, along with that t-shirt you wash, wear and repeat!
(8) No “real” education is imparted; everybody is always on protest!
Yes, we do protest. But it is always for what we believe in. The bonhomie shared by the entire DU community is highly commendable, where students and faculty alike, come together to stand up for what is right to them, be it the UGC guidelines that affect the faculty, or the unfair guidelines set by the hostels for women students. DU’s track record of producing the crème de la crème of thE nation speaks heaps about its commitment towards education.
(9) You’ll be utterly lost, after three years as well!
No! College really molds a person to take the best shape that they can. Every day is different, and so are the challenges it poses. DU changes your entire definition of “simple”, “easy” and “regular”. You master the art of juggling studies and co-curricular, along with those internships you pick up on the way. You get used to the chaos of everyday, and somewhere in that mayhem, you do find yourself and what you’re really cut-out to be.
Just a few off the top of my head, these rumours had to be addressed. Unleash the power of truth, the next time anybody confronts you with these. Cherish every moment spent in college, be it standing up for what you believe in, or just simply sipping coffee in the canteen surrounded by your friends, probably half-asleep!