Things to explore in college
I’m writing this after reading a fascinating blog of nehchal(Y11). Thanking him for providing such creating such ideas. Being always step ahead in typos, Forgive me if you find any.
Later or soon you will be kicked out of the campus. College life is cheerful and indeed the most beautiful But it can be dreadful at the same time. Memories of which shall linger in your heart, forever. The IITK campus offers a unique blend of things, that you won’t find anywhere else - Friends, Hall, Events, inter and intra-hall competitions, Wingies, Baapu, Amma, Hall 10 canteen, OAT, Airstrip, and what not! Make sure you make each and every memorable while you are still in college. I have compiled a list of things you could do before you leave campus. Check out as many as possible.
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Write something: You can publish a poem, article, or artwork in a campus magazine and on other platforms. Some of the magazines I remember are Nerd, Spark, and Alumni magazines. Everything you do is worth writing about. Do not forget to write a Letter To Your Future Self.
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Taste the beer and pass out at least once: Well, if you know that you are going to taste alcohol at one or other time in your life, then this may be the best time. I’m sure, one of your wingies can help you out with that. So get into your cutest PJs, order some pizza, pop open a bottle of wine, and have a blast with a night in!
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Procrastination Level -Infinite : deadline: at 00:00, report submitted at: 11:59. Want to have a night out the day before the exam? Or start reading the night before the exam?
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Jump over the restricted wall: Breaking the rules has always been fun for me. Hopefully same would have been for you, no matter how small the violation may be. Jump into the swimming pool complex, academic area, or GH in the wee hours of the night or the broad daylight as it suits you.
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Explore Campus at night: Get into your shoes, catch some of your friends and just get out. Spend sometime in mini OAT at IME courtyard, find out a way to NCL labs roof top, gossip in Technopark, etc. While most of the time you won’t need a torch, it can be handy. If you get a chance, have a look at the beautiful night moon through the telescope with help of astronomy club guys.
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Go for a cycle trip: Early morning, leave for Bithoor on a cycle. The morning weather will definitely relax you. Photographs in the morning light are usually good - also remember to click a few photos of yourself. Well the zoo can be a place to visit. You can also spot a floating bridge at Ganga River officially named as the Lav Khush Barrage. While I haven’t tried, more adventurous ones can definitely plan a cycle trip to Lucknow or other nearby places.
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Enter hostel room of person of opposite gender: Pay a surprise visit to the room of your friend and find out if your notions of boy’s messy room or girl’s fully decorated room are actually true.
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Chat with people around: Try talking to one of the Security guards, mess workers, Online delivery guy, gardeners, or anyone else who you see around. Try to know them, their life, their perspective of life, their side of campus life and that may have a huge impact on your life.
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Play at least five sports: I have experienced that IIT Kanpur provides excellent sports facilities to all the students. Athletics, swimming, lawn tennis, badminton, squash, basketball, pool, cricket, football, hockey, table tennis and many others I’m not aware of - play five of them at least once, no matter how bad you are. You may never get a chance to play again for a long time.
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Visit Air-strip: Visit air-strip and ask your friend to click a photograph while you pose as a flying aircraft - arms stretched out and bent a little forward - running towards the photographer. Choose some suitable time, so you also have a chance to look at the gliders. Looking forward to having a Joy ride :)
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Arrange for hostel bon-fire: Arranging for a bon-fire may take some effort, but you will be lauded in the end - everyone love warmth in a chilling winter night. Late night birthday parties could be best time to arrange one.
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Eat at Sagar, Ramaiya Dhaba: Road-side dhabas are not just for truck drivers, they are for guys like us too. You will not find spring rolls on the menu (I doubt if they even have printed menu), but their simple desi dishes are one of the finest in Kanpur. Sagar Dhaba is situated about a kilometer towards Mandhana. This place happened to be very popular among night owls before the night curfew came up. Try the egg bhurji, dal fry + rice and masala-chai.
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Propose a guy/girl you have crush on: Well, this may be your last chance. Don’t be afraid of a ‘no’ - it’s better than thinking ‘What if I had proposed?’ for rest of the life. It’s a mistaken belief that ‘True Loves comes to those who wait’.
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Thank the person who made a difference: If you think there is someone who made a difference in your life, thank him/her. He/She may be your professor, senior, a staff member, or anyone else. Saying a thanks costs nothing.
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Cook a Meal For Your Friend: College diets can be quite boring and monotonous. So, if you have time and the right ingredients, prepare an awesome meal for your friends and surprise them. Even if you’re not a gourmet chef there are plenty of easy recipes for college students. And, who knows, in future they might just do the same for you!
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Empty a bucket of cold water on your wingie in winter:
Caution: This act is dangerous and lead to unpredictable consequences. You can get a water bucket emptied on you in return.Let the water fight start and more wingies come in. -
Sit with your wingies and talk about sex: Yes, this is important! Don’t forget to nominate a wing DOPA.
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Go to MT: Special Tea with Samosa on a chilling winter morning - nothing feels better than that.
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Plan a wing trip: Ah! You would have experienced this thing. Plans are made, bookings are done and then all of a sudden trip canceled just because one of the guys didn’t want to go. But seriously, go to Goa, Haridwar or wherever else - the trick is to just go if the sufficient number of people are ready to go.
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Make a wall painting in the wing: One fine day, scribble on the wall in your wing. If your wing lacks good artists, you can choose a simple subject and a smaller area on the wall to work on. You may paint a face of your friend too.
Learn More About How to Have a Great College Experience: College is one of the most exciting and transformative times of your life. You’ll make lifelong friends, discover what your passion in life is, and have an opportunity to experience a culture that exists only on a college campus. Dive in, talk to people, get involved, and make the most of those four years that you can.
Do comment or mail me if there is something else you would like me to include in the above list.