1. Take a proactive role in your learning
This may be an obvious point, but we students have a tendency to forget the importance of learning during our university years – especially in the midst of managing deadlines, trying to moderate our caffeine intake, and dragging our heels and sleep-deprived selves to our morning classes. During your university years, you have the chance to taste-test different programmes, learn from experts in diverse fields and explore your passions to tailor your academic and career paths. So keep track of your deadlines, don’t start that paper at 3 am the day it is due; do attend classes and tutorials regularly, and take a proactive role in your education. Learning during your university years doesn’t have to be restricted to your classroom, either. If that course on art history conflicts with your schedule, consider enrolling in a free digital course from online platforms such as Coursera or Harvard edX. I’ve taken a few courses on topics that I would not have otherwise been able to fit into my schedule or degree programme on campus. There is always a way if you look for one.
2. Get engaged
Despite what you may think, the university isn’t all about hitting the books. Along with taking advantage of the numerous learning opportunities that are now accessible to you, enrich your student life by getting involved outside the classroom. These years represent one of the only times that you will have the chance to indulge freely in your hobbies and connect with people from a spectrum of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds – virtually at your front door. To make the most of student life, don’t be afraid to push your comfort zone, try new things and meet new people. You’d be surprised at how many opportunities there are for students to get involved on campus. Your university’s students’ council is a great place to start looking. Students’ councils are a valuable resource for student-led associations and initiatives. Like soccer? Join an intramural soccer league. Enjoy playing music or singing? Consider becoming a member of your university’s band or choir. I also encourage you to not just restrict yourself to campus activities. Your local community is a great resource for opportunities to get engaged and contribute to a greater cause while doing something you love.
Personally, the activities I pursued outside lecture hall taught me valuable lessons and skills that I would have otherwise never had the opportunity to challenge and hone had I stayed holed up with my books on the fifth floor of my campus library.
3. Go abroad
Something that I regret not having done during my university years is going on exchange or volunteering internationally. The case of wanderlust hits all students at one time or another, and university can be one of those rare times that you can get paid to indulge it. This isn’t just about getting the chance to go on a glorified vacation, either (although that is an obvious attraction) – you can apply to gain experience on an international internship, go on exchange to take a course at a foreign university, learn a new language and so on, all of which are things that can make your professional portfolio more competitive in an increasingly global job market. I have a few friends who performed summer research in HIV-stricken communities of sub-Saharan Africa in order to produce disease-fighting probiotic yoghurt for local villagers. Not only did the experience allow them the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in a new culture, witnessing at first-hand the impact of their work among the locals broadened their perspectives on their own learning and showed them the practical value of their education
Which ABG company would you want to work for and why?
I would like to work for Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Limited. Before joining IIM Indore, I was not very definite about which field of management I would like to pursue. While pursuing all the courses in our first year, the finance courses fascinated me the most especially the use of technology in making the services seamless. This leads me to the point of making it to the Aditya Birla Payments Bank which is a dream come true for all aspiring Finance Enthusiasts.
- Shubham Bhawsar
