My bed (and Butterscotch the giraffe) 
My table an hour after we got them
From tomorrow, my 3rd year is going to start! (*cries silently*). I feel old, to be honest.
I still remember my first day in college or may I say campus. I was so nervous, my stomach was churning and I felt like puking all the time (Don't worry, I didn't). New faces. Huge campus. I had no idea how I was going to survive alone without my parents!
PS: Except for school trips, I never went to live at any place new. I cried on both the school trips too on the first day itself. (Let's not make fun of me about that, please!)
Everything felt new. And the biggest change which came was the hostel life - living with friends 24x7 and the fact that I have my own room. In the starting days, I didn't like my room - there was nothing wrong with it. I used to be in my behena's room all the time or would invite them over. But I never stayed alone. Not gonna lie, but I cried too in my own room if left alone. Later, I never got the room to myself. Anyone would barge in anytime (even at midnight for Maggi)
Cup Noodles were life saviors in hostels
My room was all white with a table, chair, cupboard, and a bed. The task in hand was to make that room home. Before that, I never had a room of my own so the room was a blank canvas that I was going to paint. I stuck lots of pictures of my family and of course Oreo and Marshmallow; organized the table with a calendar, pen stand, books, bottles, etc. And the moment I felt at home there, I was thrown back to my previous home.
Anyhoo, the only thing which made me more comfortable at the campus was the thought, "Zeba, this is now your new life. Next 4 years, you have to make lots of friends and memories. So, stop being so nervous and enjoy it!!" I know it might seem a bit cliche to think that way but it helped. It was sort of my pep talk.
Soon, the hostel and my room became my 2nd home. Waking up on our own after staying up past midnight just so we don't miss breakfast. Long late-night walks. Running errands to the community center (aka CC). Going to the city for good food and shopping. I felt really grown up there. But it was fun. We all were new to this living alone and doing things alone thing, so it didn't take us much time to start discussing laundry issues; how much money we spent in the month; if water is hot or not for bathing; whether we are out of any essentials like shampoo, face wash, etc. at room - all the big things which were so oblivion to us when living with our parents.
My hostel corridor when it was raining!
(Yes, it rains sometimes in Jodhpur)
Whenever we felt alone, we always knew that there is a human in the adjacent room feeling the same. We used to just assemble and talk about all these things and give each other pep talks that we'll make it. Soon, those discussions became truth and dare games, gossip, impromptu dance sessions, and lots more.
Apart from the hostel life, there were so many experiences in those 7-8 months. Volunteering in Aaftaab, Ignus. Celebrating festivals like Navratri, Lohri, Uttarayan, etc. These were all other level experiences that we all talked about and thought about life back then when on campus.
And now after spending 1.5 years of my 2-year college life at home, tomorrow another year will start. That too online. Although my friend and I (who I've made as stationery-obsessed as I am) are pretty excited to use the new books and stationery we got, we are a bit upset that we are in the third year now. Third-year brings a new pressure on everyone I feel. It's a realization that 2 years are over and we all have to do something valuable to make college life worth it.
It's 2 more years till I graduate and it seems a bit of a blur. Hopefully, in October I will make it back to my own room (and get it cleaned - it's in a very dirty state). But till then, I'm just excited for tomorrow.
It's going to be a new year and hopefully new opportunities and learning.
PS. I might not stay that active with these blogs as academics will overload us but will definitely try to write as much as possible.
Are your classes going to start soon? Or are you still enjoying your vacation? (Secretly hoping, your classes to start too, so that I don't have to suffer alone)
Word of the Blog: Oblivion (the state of being unaware of what is happening around one)
Comments
Yaa sure dude!