1. My First Day at College

 1. My First Day at College

        My first day at college is a memorable experience of my life. It is marked with excitement, nervousness and fears. So, it will haunt me forever in the years to come. As soon as I appeared in the Matriculation Examination, I began to dream of a free, independent and interesting life of the college. My cousin would often say tome, "Life in a college is more a fun than a serious effort to get education. Moreover, college is a place for making friends and chalking out programmes to go to the pictures or picnics."

At last, the result of the Matriculation Examination was declared and I came out with flying colours. I decided to seek admission to Government college, the biggest college in the town. So, I submitted the admission forms. After ten days, I was informed that I had been granted admission. I went to the college to deposit dues. I was nervous and afraid. But surprisingly enough, many of students' organizations were welcoming the new comers and guiding them very kindly and compassionately. I was very happy and satisfied. Our classes were to start on 7th September. I was feeling proud of being collegiate.

On September 7, I got up early in the morning, established prayers, took a heavy bath and got ready for the college. Meanwhile, my mother prepared breakfast. I took breakfast hurriedly and came to the bus station where many other class fellows had also gathered. We formed and started to the college because we wanted to defend ourselves against first year foolery. When we reached the main gate of the college, a group of senior students was waiting for us. Firstly, they greeted us and then raised the slogan "First Year Fools',' Zindabad'." We got suddenly nervous. They had chalked out their own plans to make the new-comers indulge in some vulgar type of activities. However, we decided to act together to avoid their practical jokes. Some of the senior students in a much larger group approached us with an air of superiority and made us subdue instantly. They made us stand in a queue and march. They ordered us to sing ridiculous songs and do monkey pranks. My ego did not allow me to act according to their wishes but being helpless before such a host of ruffians, I had to obey.

After getting rid of them, I moved to the notice board to note the time-table. Our first period was that of English. It was to be held in room number twelve. I did not know where the room was. Catching sight of an innocent, gentle looking senior student standing in the corridors, I approached him and requested him to guide me about the room. He encouraged me and escorted me to a room. No sooner did I enter the room than there was a roar of cheers and laughter. It was girls' room. I rushed out with the feelings of shame and insult and began to fight with him in anger. A man of short stature tried to separate us but I had got so furious that I slapped on his face. All the boys dispersed in no time. Only two of us were there on the scene. Many professors reached there in an instant. I was seized and taken to the office of the Principal and was charged with being rude, insolent and disobedient. The fellow whom I had slapped was also occupying a chair. It came out that he was not a student. He was the Chief Proctor of the college. I felt ashamed of my mistake and apologized to him fearing of my rustication from the college. He took pity on me as the first year and pardoned me.

Now, all the first year students were asked to assemble in the hall where the Principal delivered a moral lecture and advised us not to take part in party politics rather to pay full attention to studies to achieve our goals. Afterwards, a professor guided us about the time-table and we went to the classrooms.

When the professor came, all the boys stood up to greet him. Firstly, he introduced himself to us and then began to take the roll-call. Different boys answered the roll-call in different ridiculous manners. Some were saying "Yes Please." Many others were crying, "Lubback." A few were answering "Hazir Janaab." But the professor did not mind it. He was very kind, polite and courteous. He did not teach us but only advised us about our future life. He stressed us that we should not misuse the liberty but we should make full use of the opportunity to develop our personalities and also to achieve our goals. In this way, all the professors spoke on the importance of education and discipline. They highlighted the value of the subjects they were to teach. They talked to us in  a friendly manner quite differently from the school teachers. We were much impressed by their attitude and behavior.

When all the classes were over, we started back to our homes. We were again encountered by the seniors who were ready to pounce upon us as their legitimate prey. They caught us and stamped us as "420" "Beat me if you can," "First Year Fool, please hit me!" and what not else. They boxed, pinched and kicked us. They sprinkled liquid of different colours on us. They tore our clothes, snatched our pens and note books and teased us as much as they could. We bore all this patiently because we knew that every black cloud has a silver lining and because it is a common practice followed in every college. Thus, my first day at college came to an end with new rays of hope for the next day.