First year

As you go through life, you meet people and you meet some other people. New people, new perspectives, new ideas.

I just completed my first year at college. I have never been out of home before. The closest I have come to adjusting into a new environment is when I changed schools, both of which happened to be in walking distance of my house. So when I first made my foray into my hostel, I had a somewhat tough time, like many others like me.

The first people whom you(well at least me) almost immediately notice are of course those from cities. Especially from Delhi. They tended to stand out from the rest, which of course made them easier targets for ragging too. I dont think it would be wrong to make the generalization that Delhi kids are somewhat smarter, at least in terms of clothes and body language, from the rest of the crowd. I know, from experience(not necessarily personal), that those who satisfy the above characteristics are even expected to be from Delhi.

I am easily impressionable. My judgement is easily swayed by external characteristics, like clothes, way of talking etc. Over time I discovered this to be a common enough error. For example, during ragging period I was usually scared of everything around me. It influenced the way I talked, walked, and even the way I ate. This however, led one guy to form the impression that I was sophisticated, another thought I was cool, and so on.

If you happen to be in my friend circle, you might be aware of their error.

These were just some of many incidents in 1st year which led to a gradual process of disillusionment.

Then there was this other guy, from Lucknow. His English was unlike anything I have ever seen.He had read nearly every Nobel winning author there was. I was completely bowled over the first time I met him. Subsequently however, he turned out to be a real jerk, out to impress everyone within range, act like he was the most sophisticated guy on the planet, a real politician-always passing judgements on people,then changing them to his convenience and so on.

Then there were other people. Some of them were absolutely repulsive at first, and then were totally different people an year later. I might mention my next door neighbour in hostel here, who is, incidentally, from Delhi. He turned out to be this totally sweet, innocent, lovable guy, a type you just cant find easily. I dunno who changed here-the guy or me.

There were again others, people wanting to be someone else, people who meant well but shouldnt be allowed, people who couldnt care less abt their surroundings, ppl in lungis, ppl who were girls....

My first year was all about learning about these new breeds of people, recognizing a good one from the rest. I not only got to know all these new people, but I learnt to appreciate my old friends better.