11. Pleasures of College Life

 11. Pleasures of College Life

        College is a place of learning and enlightenment. Every school-going student dreams of enjoying himself of the college life to his fill. His dreams are not illusions because the college develops his personality manifold. That is why; the words "No knowledge without college" always remain on the lips of the collegiates. The very word college is a magical in its nature. It fills the mind with beautiful images, hopes, dreams and ideas. As the new-comer enters the college gate, his heart swells up with pride and self-respect. He feels stupefied being so near the paradise of his fancies. That is why, Charles Churchill is constrained to pronounce:

"And solid learning never falls

Without the verge of college walls."

The very first pleasure that a student enjoys at college is the difference that he finds between college life and school life. In the school, the rod of the teacher always hangs heavy on the student's head. He attends the classes with a sense of oppression and depression. He has no opinion of his own. It is the teacher who decides and determines his fate. On the contrary, the college provides him complete freedom and he can move about and act freely. He feels independent to think and do anything he likes. The professors are very friendly who try to develop his self-respect and inculcate in him the qualities of great people.

When he begins to attend classes, he feels a surprising change in himself. He experiences bliss and enjoyment everywhere. His ego finds free play. There are no restrictions in the college. There is no compulsion of attending the classes nor of preparing the lessons. There is no compulsions of attending the classes nor of overlooked or punished with appeal to the student's good sense. He is treated like a gentleman whether he is in the class room or office or library or laboratory. All these things make him believe that he is in a land of freedom and dignity.

In the academic sphere, there prevails the atmosphere of a garden where every Youngman can get the knowledge of his choice. There are experienced Professors with specialized knowledge of their respective subjects. To aid this, there is the college library with its vast reading room. A large number of books on every topic provide the students a scholarly atmosphere. He comes out of the narrow cell and develops contacts with renowned authors. He comes to know that there is a vast world of so many books. He can study books on every topic and enrich his knowledge. His outlook is broadened, vision is widened and wisdom is sharpened. He is enabled to read and think, formulate opinions and express them for himself.

There are various societies and clubs to sharpen the latent faculties of the student. The debating society motivates the student to come to the stage and face the audience. He gets rid of shyness and develops a sense of confidence. The college magazine provides him chances to express his innerself. His intellectual power is developed and literary taste is created in him. Competitions of article-writing give him impulse to write for himself. Moreover, literary meetings, social gatherings, dramatic societies and performances contribute a lot to the enrichment of his mind.

The college moulds and shapes the student's character. It teaches him manners and etiquettes. It teaches him how to speak gently, dress decently and behave decorously. It develops his sense of humour and love of beauty. It removes from him vulgarity and coarseness. It helps him to grow into a fine gentleman. It teaches him how to lead others and gain supremacy over them. The student learns how to use and protect his freedom. He learns self-help and co-operation with others. He gains first hand knowledge of the value of friendship.

The college athletics and sports add much to the pleasure of the student. He does not remain a bookworm. He participates in games and sports which are perennial fountains of health and vagility. Many of the great sportsmen of the world are the product of college playgrounds. The student learns self-respect, sportsmanship and respect for rules. He learns how to help the needy, the injured and the helpless. He becomes a balanced person. He is upright and honest. He maintains his ego. He does not hurt anyone's feelings. He learns self-confidence, self-sacrifice, self-control, self-discipline and self-restraint. He becomes a useful member of society. But all these charms are for those who enjoy the college life fully. Contrarily, many other exit as they enter.