This is officially the first ever blog post I’m writing, and it's probably going to sound like a YouTube script. Let’s see how that goes. I had a YouTube channel that I’ve been meaning to start up for better part of the last two years, but college applications, senior year, and college have made me honestly too lazy to get out the lights and spend four hours editing a video which is going to get about 30 views.
To give you a frame of reference: I’m a Purdue University freshman, studying Computer Engineering, and it has been a hell of a ride. I was assigned a triple room with AC, but here’s the catch: the room is actually a double room. It definitely could be worse… we could have missed out on the A/C. Me and my two roommates (who are fantastic) had to divide the space as best as we could, ending in two of us sharing a closet, and the third getting the smaller closet. After a few weeks, you realize staying in the cramped space is annoying, but it led me to my favorite study place: the Purdue Memorial Union - just a 15 minute brisk walk away.
As I continue this post, I would like to mention that I am an only child. I AM NOT used to sharing my stuff, my space, or my privacy. If you’re in a dorm in college, privacy is an afterthought.
As far as the magical college experience that was promised to me in movies like 3 Idiots, Student of the Year, Wake Up Sid, etc. (I’m a Bollywood guy), it really isn’t that exciting. You wake up, go to class, eat when you can in the middle, try to have some fun in the evenings, do your homework till 2 AM cause you had a little too much fun, and repeat. (Honestly sometimes I think I just have a boring life). My perspective: parties are meh, drinking and getting high is meh… I don't get the hype.
Instead of burning through my lungs, I joined a technical club and my IQ raised at least a few points just by standing there and listening. I honestly thought it would be a boring, high-school volunteering kind of experience, but it is so much better. I also joined a tennis ball cricket league and had a blast (not to brag, but my team won the tournament).
As for classes, Purdue First Year Engineering is easier than getting a 400 on the SAT… if you take enough AP credits to skip Physics, Chemistry, and Calculus I and II. Seriously… take the AP’s. I don’t expect it to be this easy going forward… I'm praying for a four-year graduation.
I realized making friends is harder than I initially thought (I knew I shouldn't have skipped orientation...) but I've been able to make some from my floor and classes. This one time, we watched The Conjuring. That was my first ever horror movie… the Hanuman Chalisa was the only way I could sleep that night. My favorite moments have been the Friday night walks, it's a whole different mood.
Arguably, the worst part of college is the bathrooms. At this point, I’m not even surprised if I hear screaming from in there. They’re also generally filthy cause we as a group are generally filthy. I could say a lot of things... but I want to keep my posts gag-reflex-free. Just get in and get out, or as three of my fellow floor-mates found out, your towel could get stolen and you’re gonna be in a awkward situation.
I’m so happy I have an apartment next year. Privacy, my own bathroom, and a kitchen because being a vegetarian in college sucks.