I was feeling really weird and eerie on the last day of my final MA exam. We all were giving our 5th and final paper: Modern Classics in translation. Anyway, coming to the weird part of it, instead of being happy - is definitely because I knew our stint with 2 years of MA is over.
So what? This is always what we wanted! All throughout the course of 4 semesters, I hankered for MA to finish. Each day, I remember, for the sake of not missing the enriching lectures, I did attend classes whenever I could. It was not only difficult but sometimes pathetic for me to attend , toting the 3 kg Laptop (includes the cable also and a novel) hanging on my right side and my big handbag hanging on my left side that contained a Tiffin, a book, a pen, my wallet some essentials needed to freshen up once I reached office, post college. It was hell doing it everyday and for 5 days consecutively. Though we had holiday on a second Saturday, I would still bunk college on every Saturday. A self-declared holiday influenced very much by my corporate lifestyle: working only 5 days a week.
Our Rendezvous with MA and our professors was certainly an uplifting, rewarding and enriching experience- something that we will cherish all our lives. MA gave me so much! How much? It made us better persons, honed our life skills, I must say, opened the window to the world and how it works, a doorway to knowledge, empowerment of sorts, It certainly added to my courage and audacity, it moulded our perspectives, views, opinions; to question and react to things, doing what you want to do rather than being compelled by people and circumstances and the list will go on and on…
We always feel happy when we are on the precipice of accomplishing various phases of our academic life: schooling, intermediate, graduation and PG. I have felt happy at the end of every phase, but this one! The reason is that at the end of every phase I knew what I will take up next. It was very much decided. Now, I was apprehensive as to what next? Where will I be heading? and yes, this insecurity, though I’m working and positioned well, in the field of my choice. Marriage is definitely not on the cards anywhere in the near future. Not at least when I’m so young. I need options man. Got to make something of my life! I do have some plans though of either pursuing higher studies or switch from corporate life to some other field. I will let you folks know when the time is opportune!
As of now, I’m sure all my classmates and friends are going through the MA hangover. I’m doing both: the hangover and work (it’s been a week since I joined). We wake up and realize that, things that have been so much a part of our life, are not now anymore. I’m talking about things intrinsic to MA: the rushed affairs in the mornings to make it to college by 10 am , but ending up there by 10 30 or eleven am; the internal 10 marks assessments, the semester exams, mind boggling lectures, the fun and much more!
PS: The photograph in this post is one taken during one of the photo sessions, during out last days of MA. One can see my classmates standing with our professors. I couldn’t make it coz of office :-(
I must say that Life is sometimes a Conundrum one cannot fathom. It is more so when life becomes perfunctory and mundane. What if you enjoy and thrive on what you do? Will it still become monotonous? Monotony is one thing we all face at some point of time or other albeit you might have the world at your feet.
Though I revel in what I do, sometimes it is reduced to monotony. I feel like a robot and machine when I go about my mechanical chores. Then there are times like this moment which makes me want to ask: will I be able to do the juggling act between college and work? I wake up at 7:30 am, exercise, morning ablutions followed by breakfast and then I scramble off my feet to college.
There’s no denying that I do enjoy college like I had mentioned umpteen times in previous Posts. Having said that, college equally riles me up. Since it’s a significant university, it’s apparently soaked in countless events: Seminars, Book launches, frequent boycotts (mighty relived that now we get to see less of it. Touchwood), Blood donation camps and the icing on the cake is when our best-in-class professors travel to places and countries (9 out of 10 times, US of A), leaving us unattended. Atleast a quarter of the entire syllabus; we are unfortunately left to fend for ourselves. That’s how it works at OU Dude! One irony we all are disgruntled about is when we make it to college, we barely have classes. And when we take a breather, classes ply in full swing! Linguistics is the last class for the day and I excruciatingly attended 3 to 4 classes hitherto since July. It’s a bloody waste of a course and time. How I wish we had a language instead. Perhaps Spanish as I know French already.Komal enrolled herself for Spanish classes outside college. I’m happy for her. I wish I could do it too but my cup is already surfeiting… Or another course like ELT or creative writing would have been great. But destiny had different plans.
I therefore don’t stay for the last class and prefer to leave to work. I morph into a clock again: Travel to work, boot up my Laptop (it takes atleast 5 to 7 min). While it boots up, I quickly rush to freshen up, come back, check my e-mails, chalk out a checklist for the day and I quickly grab a bite for lunch. Nevertheless I ensure that I accomplish ‘things-to-do’ on my checklist before I leave for the day. I wind up by 9:30, take the cab, commute to home, have dinner and sleep.
I preen over the fact that I’ve the Best-of-both World’s; I’m happy and content with this phase of life; I study and pay my own fees and things like that. Having said that, juggling between both worlds is certainly not a walk in the park. I will tell you with experience that it takes tons of patience, perseverance because there are kinks and shackles you face and above all will-power. Both college and work are on par in my priority list. However I do show laxity in college matters. Work is a serious business comparatively because if your work is not done, you are fired! As far as college goes, you can get laidback and get away with it. Tomorrow and day after I have internal assessments: 10 objective type questions. Sounds easy but you should atleast know an inkling of it. I literally didn’t touch my books; how will I when I didn’t buy any of them.
Look at me, I’m so SHAMELESS. I’m blogging instead of studying though I know well that Linguistics is a staggering challenge. More so because I can’t stand it. Will study in some time. Striking a balance is vital as both worlds need undivided attention! Semester I- I was carefree about it and scored 64%. Semester II-I planned well and put in some efforts and it did pay off. Outcome: 70%. One need not freak out but learn to do one thing at a time. Life is a book and we all need to live one chapter at a time. I apply the same formula to college and work. When I’m at college, I put my best foot forward and when at work, I respect deadlines. Thus it is imperative to get the balancing act right or else not one but both worlds will peter out!
PS: I wish I could write and publish some more Posts but I need to hold off on this for now as I have to crack Linguistics paper tomorrow, though I have aversion to it. You see, I’m getting the balancing act right...
Pursuing MA in Arts College, Osmania University(OU) is a dream come TRUE! It’s been a year and a half stint with MA; another 8 months away to finish PG.
Amongst other colleges of OU, Arts college building is the most BEAUTIFUL! This GIGANTIC building is certainly a piece de resistance and an intriguing piece of Art that links to a fascinating past. It’s a two storey building: Ground floor is modelled on British/ English Architecture; 1 st floor on Hindu and 2nd floor on Muslim/Nizam Architecture. OU is a legacy left by the last Nizam of Hyderabad: Mir Osman Ali Khan, who was noted for possessing the largest Wardrobe in the World, in his times. There are many other interesting facts about him. This one memory of him that stands apart from the rest is a ramification of my current obsession with clothes, at this phase of my life.
OU is one of the few places in Hyderabad that swears by greenery. The lush green lawns morph as perfect lounging zones for students, friends, lovers and sundry.
Library is a perfect haven for book-worms and voracious readers like me. It’s HUGE and one can actually get lost in it! But since I have to rush to Work after College, I don’t find ample time to indulge the reader in me . That’s SAD and a Concern for me but to gain something, you have to let go of some things. However Life always replaces what we lose! It asks you to put down something as it prepares you to pick up something greater! A striking aspect of our college is the Classrooms where Benches are structured and built in steps. This only augments our feel-good factor of belonging to this college of a glorious past. Arts college per se is a MAZE. When I went to give my entrance exam for the first time, the pursuit of ferreting out my classroom was like a Treasure Hunt! Now it’s apparently not a herculean task to find my class.
The USP of our college is our PROFESSORS; they are each an Institution per se. I’m privileged to be a part of a college that boasts of the best faculty in India. I was bored to death by lectures, when in St Francis, while pursuing graduation. What brings me to Arts College, apart from its pomp and splendour? It’s the lectures dished out by well read, bred, qualified, learned, wise, prudent, smart and scholarly Professors.
My Classmates are a RIOT. We are a class of 55: 40% comprise the masses from villages and towns; 5% are Firangs from Moscow, Iraq, Riyadh, Dubai and I belong to the 10% from the City. Men from the masses can be mistaken for Thugs. They prefer to walk in amidst on-going classes sans excusing themselves and also wish to walk out vice versa. Does this unruly behaviour emerge out of leniency of pursuing PG? Or because they are from a rustic background? The rest of us don’t do that! We take permission and excuse ourselves before walking in or out. Firangs who make up 5% of our class are a good company. They tell us places in Hyderabad and India we have never been to and therefore know better than us! This holds true to any of us who travel to different Places. My friend Komal (the only confidant at college) and I are the youngest in the class. 10% are girls out of which 3% to 4% are already married. Since we Indians are heterogeneous people, living in a Pluralistic Country; we adapt, adopt, modify and change. Despite our drastic differences, we all have a ball!
Life is a roller coaster ride for me as I shuttle between College and Work. I just love this phase of my life as I’m fortunate to relish the best of both Worlds that leaves me enriched each day, with renewed vigor, energy and enthusiasm.
