Campus Hopping - Necessary Exercise

One week since DU admissions opened, and the sale of forms still show a rather dim picture. There has been enough contemplation on the current state of affairs. Some say that the internet is the culprit; others predict a last minute rush. Officials have reconciled to the low tide by saying less applicants means smooth admissions with minimum disappointments. All said and done, if students look beyond their web of convenience, there's a lot they are missing out on by not doing the necessary campus-hopping exercise. Here's a list of reasons as to why you must pay a trip to your prospective colleges:


1. The minute you step onto a college campus, you get a vibe from the place. Consciously or unconsciously, it shapes your decision to join the college or not. Students have left a college at a later stage on the pretext of it being 'unwelcoming'.
Students Speak: "I had wanted to sit for Kamala Nehru's Journalism entrance exam only because otherwise LSR's would have been the first such exam that I would be giving. But when I went to fill the form, I immediately felt connected to the place. The campus has a very homely feel to it", says Vrishnika, 2nd year Journalism (Hons), KNC.


2. When you interact with the staff and/or student volunteers, you gauge an idea about not only the administration but also the functioning of the college. No amount of research will match your first impression of the place.
Students Speak: Indrajit Banerjee, a B.Sc/B.A. Maths (Hons) aspirant says, "Colleges which have student volunteers always make for keener aspirants to these venues".


3. Meeting fellow aspirants is always a lot of fun. Why miss the chance of making friends? It is always better to know a few people before hand.
Students Speak: Udit Khurana from Hansraj comments "In my class the best of friends had met each other for the first time while standing in queues at admission time".


4. Campus-hopping is always more interesting for girls. Before you go and do your college shopping, it's always better to study the campus fashion.
Students Speak: Naam, a member of her college's fashion society comments on the ever-changing campus fashion, "Cling jeans are out, straight cut is in, while straightened hair is so past, one can sport anything from wavy to curly to messy this year".

5. It is always fun to go and check out the different canteens and eating joints in and around colleges. If you're a 'foodie', here's your chance to conduct your own survey and prepare your personal food-guide.
Students Speak: "Admission time was one-whole week of eating out and eating cheap everyday", recollects Manas, this year's pass-out from Stephen's.

The more effort you make to get into a college, the more involved you feel with the affairs of the college; you already feel like you're a part of it. What are you doing then, still sitting at home?