Message to all my Juniors: How to Make the Most of Your Summer ?

This message is for all my juniors working for Techniche. Thank you for inspiring me to write once again..

I thought to write “Message to all my First Yearites” in the heading but then I realized that End Semester exams are now over and hence, you all are not a first year students anymore.  The days of being kids are over and now you all are responsible individuals. Be it Techniche or IIT Guwahati in general, your actions will speak for you and your words will be noted.

BE RESPONSIBLE

Your Summer Vacations have now started.

Congratulations to all those who were able to bag internship in their very first year. Make IIT Guwahati proud wherever you go.

And those guys and girls who are not able to fill in the above mentioned category, well. You have better days ahead. Let me tell you why:

This is perhaps the only holiday in your life that you’ll ever get. This particular one is the first and the last.

Why (you ask)

When we were kid, we all had summer vacations, winter vacations, festival vacations and session break but these vacations had their own share of Holiday Homework and Session Breaks, were consumed thinking about mark sheets and results. In addition to that, when we were young, we weren't allowed to tread outside our narrow domain. Our parents and family members kept us under their scrutiny. Now, the domain is wider than ever before. Go out and Explore.

And the years ahead, think about it, “Are you going to get any holiday (this long) in your near foreseeable future?”

NO, a disappointing NO

So, these three months of your life are extremely important, more important than any of your semester. Use or rather Spend it wisely.

Here are the list of few things that I did and a few things that I regret not doing during my Holidays.

1.       Teach Voluntarily

This is perhaps the noblest thing that you can do right at this stage. It costs virtually nothing and the satisfaction that you get at the end of the day is limitless. This task was easy for me because my parents run an educational institution and I taught students of Class 9^th and 10^th. Generally, the students of Bihar Board (the regional education board) are weak in English. I taught them English on a regular basis and took a few substitution classes.

I understand that for me it was easier but if you try a bit and all you got to do is to meet the owner or the one who runs the institution, once you mention that you’re studying in IIT, they’ll definitely allow you to take a few classes.
We all blame our professors that they don’t how to teach. Step in their shoes and experience for yourself that how it is to be like a teacher.

Plus, it‘ll make enhance your communication skill.

2.       Spend time with your Brothers and Sisters

Well, we have already been doing it. Why to emphasise on this point? The reason I’m mentioning this particular aspect is that, you see, we all are getting older every day. Pehle School mein the, now we are in College and with us, our brothers and sisters are also growing. Then one day, you’ll get a phone call from your home informing you that

“Di ki shaadi honi wali hai” or,

“Ghar mein bhabhi aane wali hai.”

And once you’re married, no matter how much you deny it, but you aren’t the same person anymore. Priorities change and the way you act and behave changes. And then you’ll be no longer able to enjoy the way you did together.

I have my one of my sister’s wedding scheduled this summer and all I wish is that if I could have spent more time with her.

Isliye, make the most of it. Spend maximum time with your relatives too because, time management is difficult. Your 8-9 months are spent in the college itself then next year se you’ll be going for intern and summer training, so, it will be extremely difficult to meet every one of these people personally.

3.       Date a Girl/ Boy

An important thing to note here is that,  I’m asking you to date, I’m not asking you to get into a serious relationship. Take that step, once you are very sure. Try talking to people who have same interest as you do and you'll be flabbergasted to know what you've been missing about the stuffs you like. Talk to people who don't have anything common with you. You'll get to know new things at a lightining fast rate. It'll also make you more tolerant. And while you talk, you might end up being great friends. I had my first heartbreak during my first year summer vacations and I'm grateful for it. Do it and you'll thank me later.

4.       Pick up a Music Instrument

This is a wonderful time to actually start learning a new instrument. In today’s world, being musically literate is considered an important personal qualification. Plus, it relaxes your mind, makes you feel good about yourself and life. So, why not learn it and play it in your free time.

5.       READ a LOT

The whole point of typing the letters keeping the CAPS LOCK on is to make you all understand, how important this is. By reading, I don’t mean that you pick up a Chetan Bhagat’s novel and your reading part is over. Read about current affairs, newspapers, weekly magazines and articles. Be aware of things that are happening around you.
It’s better to be aware-d that to be Beware-d.

Side by side, keep on reading books and novels. Your control over language will increase and you’ll be able to present your thoughts more properly. If you immerse yourself in Literature, you'll start discovering aspects of yourself that you would never have known otherwise! Philosophy and literature nourishes you somewhere.

So, here you are at the end of your first year and the small list that I gave you is not exhaustive. People might suggest you going for different things and those things might be even better that what I have mentioned here but the whole point of making you go through this is to make you all realize that how important these days can be.

Happy Holidays.

Enjoy to the Fullest…

Before departing, let us all shout in Unison.

On the count of three

1

2

3

Jai Techniche !!