When dreams come true

Scores of undergraduates with goals ranging from single-minded academics to 'friends and fun' enrol for college education. How prepared are the institutions to receive them, asks GEETA PADMANABHAN.

SINCE THEY met me last week, S. K. Narendra Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and P. Santhanam of Arakkonam have been dissecting the news in the Zoology class. Tawilou from Manipur has found a new friend in Chandrasekar of Chennai. Jaikumar (Jolarpet) and Bhagya (Chengee) laugh nervously, talking about the Literature course they have opted for. Anthony Joseph will learn to mix beverages at the Catering Institute with the same spirit with which he made solutions in the school Chemistry laboratory, not long ago. Anand is itching for a tough hardware engineering syllabus after his years at a CLRI school. These teens have just made their move from school to college.

The city colleges have opened their doors to young aspirants for degree courses. Be it from sweat or guidebooks, the marksheet is the ticket for the student's ride to the best courses and prestigious colleges. In a system where academic worth is measured by numbers, where the dividing line between acceptance and rejection is drawn with mere decimal points, there are bound to be square pegs in round, undergraduate holes. Is college a small step towards self-imposed responsibility or a giant leap to unfettered freedom?

All through her school years in Bokaro, Shubha knew she would go to college in Chennai. For this steel-city girl Chennai's lights twinkled straight from paradise. Now in the Kumara Rani Muthiah College for a Commerce degree, she gushes, "It is a huge change for a girl from Jharkand. Of course, I am staying with my aunt here and expect to be policed. My classmates, I guess, will 'gang-up' with their own friends. And I need to learn to take on the MTC. I see all this as a welcome challenge. I am a natural at making pals and my love for music will find me common ground. I am signing up for the CA Foundation Course. College will be hectic but definitely fun."

Madhu's outlook isn't much different. Aspiring to be an engineer, he looks forward to his next four years in a hostel. "A hostel imposes curbs on your movement," he agrees, "but it will be far better than my school life in Madipakkam which was nothing more than 12 years of homework."

Rohini, another engineering wannabe adds, "I have an independent streak and the college years will reinforce it. I have opted for EEE and then on to the U.S. for a post-graduate course. The brightest spot is that I don't have to listen to my teachers any more."

Srila (name changed) is thrilled to be in Ethiraj College. "I was in a co-ed school and I'll miss the boys," she grins. "But I hope to be a mover and shaker on the college cultural scene. A place like this exposes you to the real world."

Shajita Parveen does not mind wearing a burqua when she attends her evening B.Com. classes at the SIET college. For this St. Theresa's, Royapuram student, studying in college is a dream-come-true. She will spend the morning hours learning typing, computer software and to speak English."I have no time for fun," she admits. "But I'll be working in Singapore in a few years."

Sujatha, who completed school privately, also feels privileged to get into the SIET College. She says, "I have realised the importance of a disciplined, structured set-up where I can meet lots of students. Being a private student is not the best way to get a degree." Thousands of undergraduates from various school systems... With goals ranging from single-minded academics to strictly 'friends and fun' time... How prepared are the Principals to receive them?

Sr. Colleen North of Stella Maris says, "The Senior Friends" present a programme to welcome the 'first years.' An elaborate orientation schedule (talks about the ethos of the institution, what they can do) is implemented by the Deans with the help of the students' union. The newcomers are quickly enrolled into the various activities like the NSS, the NCC and games. The Talent Day, to introduce themselves, serves as an ice-breaker."

"We have counsellors for every group of 20 new students," says Thilaka Bhaskaran of the MGR-Janaki College for Women, "to take care of their educational, emotional and economic needs. Several students from the 'so-called English medium schools need tutorials and functional English classes. Many join college without a clue to the concepts in any subject. Others need help getting focussed and controlling their emotions. We also have to keep a watch on how they dress and behave on the campus."

"The transition from a regimented order that focusses on cramming and coaching to concept learning and independent study comes as a shock," says Rev. Joseph Xavier, Principal, Loyola College. "The initial reaction is - There is nothing to study. Lack of English language skills compounds it. Some tend to wander off. "Remedies?" A strong mentoring set-up. Division of students into three streams and extra classes. A three-day induction process with workshops on personality development, 'defreezing', institutional culture, social analysis and world religions. Just two major papers in the first year. Informal career counselling. A choice-based credit system. Constant monitoring against absenteesism."

How long does it take a student to get over transitional hiccups? "A full semester."

The Vivekananda College believes in prayers and regular and compulsory teaching of moral values "to get the new students' minds cleared of fear and inhibitions." It helps that on the small campus they are always under the watchful eyes of the Swamiji and the Principal, Dr. Ramarathnam.

"My first day at Stella Maris," asks L. N. Ashwini, who did most of her schooling in Africa. "It felt strange being only among girls. Sure, the vast campus gives one a sense of independence. The canteen is impressive too. I am thrilled about the electives. But I felt a little lost and wanted to get into uniform and go back to my school. Freedom? I think it is in the opportunities available for self-development. It is up to us to use them well."

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