Reflections on My First Year at NIT Warangal: Lessons Learned and Unfulfilled Wishes

As a first-year student at NIT Warangal, looking back, I can vividly remember several moments that influenced me deeply. One of the biggest realizations was that I should have studied harder and worked to increase my CGPA. It's a common saying, but in reality, the academic journey is not just about grades; it's about the knowledge and skills you gain.

Academic Commitment

One of the common slogans in the college, often repeated, is that 'All beautiful girls are committed in their first year only.' While it is somewhat of a stereotypes, it highlights the importance of dedication in the early years of your academic journey. In my second year, the freedom that some had in the first year started to diminish as the academic workload and pressures increased. By the third year, students were focused on their academics, and by the final year, the focus shifted towards placements.

It struck me, however, how it must have felt freedom to socialize in the first year, especially if you were living in the hostel. This period is often filled with new friendships, late-night conversations, and shared experiences. It's a time when you get to know people on a more personal level.

Lessons from a Dance Practice

One particularly introspective incident occurred late one night during the final days of my engineering life. Me and a friend were out for dinner, and somehow, we ended up at a fellow student's room, where we watched a movie on his laptop. An hour later, two more people joined us, one of whom had just returned from an intense dance practice for their intra-branch competition, 'Zero Gravity.' He appeared disheveled, with blisters on his feet, and the ordeal was evident. We laughed at him, but he didn't seem to mind, and we ended up dancing together.

Participating in such activities, despite feeling shy and saddened by personal issues, brought me happiness. My friend shared, 'We were either being nostalgic about our hostel days or experiencing something else. He pulled out his laptop and started showing pictures.' These moments captured in a camera transform into precious memories.

Not Just Places, But Moments

The interplay of emotions in those pictures ranged from pure bliss to intense anger against the seniors who raggued them. Through these four years, I realized that the memories I held close to my heart were the shared moments, not just the places I visited. Watching that fellow student's photos, I realized, by the time he showed me the last picture, my vision got blurred. I had tears in my eyes, an emotion I rarely showed to others.

As I reflect on my first year, I regret not having joined a batch willingly. It wasn't just about the first year, but in general, I felt I could have had better experiences. Perhaps if I weren't so arrogant or scared of being ragged, I would have had more beneficial interactions with others.

Perhaps the most poignant lesson is from the realization that having a few close friends and meaningful moments is more valuable than being everywhere. One of my intentions for writing this is to highlight the importance of cherishing the people and moments around you, rather than the places you visit.