Beyond academics

In my first year, much like every fresher, I was peer pressured into accepting the notion that from an academic perspective the first year is largely irrelevant. Even now, I still remember the comments made by the senior students and professors alike, denouncing the first year for its simplicity relative to what follows. I eagerly acknowledged their view and without hesitation internalized its veracity. As such, I was certain the second year is the true beginning of university – the time to thin out the competition. With that in mind, as soon as my plane landed, I was ready for the worst. One day had gone by, no change. One turned into two, two into three. Lectures and work at full throttle, yet everything was still the same – if not easier. I was so focused on expecting a figurative stone wall that is academics, I completely ignored the changing reality right before my eyes.

I am of the stance that, on a personal level, the entire purpose of university changes come the second year. Metaphorically speaking, the first year – much like high school, is life. Exams, lectures, and seminars are the means to an end that is the grades, and eventually the degree. As an individual goes through the process, they start to realize that a university degree – for no sake other than completion itself, is worthless. I have come to realize; university is a tool, not a product. It is only worth as much as its purpose. Though I do value my degree from an intellectual perspective, its application in real life will always triumph in terms of importance. Nonetheless, with this realization comes the responsibility of utilizing the studies to their full potential.

For the last month, I have been sending out applications for industrial placements. I have to admit that the entire prospect is far more daunting than any exam I could possibly have to take. I have already gone through a number of interviews, but with each consecutive cover letter sent, my uncertainty only grows. Now that I really think about it, perhaps there was some truth to the idea that second-year university is far more difficult; the material is the same, but its weight is incomparable.