As I look back on what I have made of 3 years of my life, I feel very proud. Something I am not ashamed to brag about wherever I go. As I write this, I am an MBA student at IIM Lucknow, where not a day goes by when I don’t tell my friends, “IPM at IIM Ranchi was the best thing that ever happened to me”. Why would I say this everyday you may ask. It’s the answer to different versions of the question – “Tune ye bhi kar rakha hai?”. That summarises my three years. Want to know maine kya kya kar rakha hai?
Became a CR for life
The moment you step into the college, clubs and committees look like the first achievement you wanna have. As I ticked the ones I wanted to apply for, Debasish (my biggest supporter), told me, “apply to the academic committee – you give the vibes”. We barely knew each other, yet I listened. That was my last preference but I got selected! Fast-forward 2 years and being the CR is a part of my identity.
- I still am in awe of myself about some of the situations I handled in spur of the moment. Very demure. Taught me negotiation
- Received more love than I could consume. I love my batch. Yes, there were some trenches, but if you wake me at 3.00am today and tell me you need to fight for the IPM’21 batch. Yes.
- Got to interact with all professors and admin staff. Personal connections >>>
- Learnt handling power. Sometimes you have too much and being conscious about not misusing it is important (Also, learnt that ethics are not objective – I am waiting for the debates)
- Give respect, Take respect. Target the overall betterment. Personal benefits on expense of others will take you 1 step ahead. When you make everyone’s lives easier, they become a force that pushes you 20 steps ahead. There is no situation in the world where you have to behave as someone you hate.
I think I should do this
I was part of the batch which was always upto something. You know the best part – It wasn’t for CV points or profile building or placement shortlists. It was for learning. Tried to learn a lot of things (some unsuccessfully), but all of that makes me today. Opportunities are always there, don’t hide from them.
You might feel that doing something is not worth it. I loved graphic designing – we had overly talented people like Kislay in our batch though. Never thought it would mean anything. Today at IIM Lucknow, I head the creatives and media team. Be it academics, or organizing events or organising trips (very very important), there were no second thoughts.
You can either learn and do OR do and learn. IPM is your calling to do and learn. Do not shy away. You will have people to hold you when you fall.
The Right People
You know why I am writing this? Because Bhavesh put 6 messages on the group telling how important it was to articulate our journey. Surround yourself with people who push you to become better and do better. Who believe in you, through actions.
I had Amiya and Lekisha. The two people who made me top my batch. Who made me clear my CAT. Who made me party. Who came running when I said that I wasn’t feeling well. Who rebuked me when I was wrong. Have people who push you out of bed – both to study and to party. You’ll love your college (Shoutout to Debasish, Keshav, Sid, Rahul).
Learn from everyone around you. Everyone is better than you at something. There’s potential to learn from everyone and everything. Stop slacking. You’ll have certain options when you are going through college.
- Lose your hunger, hang out with people who slack. Justify it by saying that we are smart, we are just enjoying life. (0/10 recommended)
- You love your friends, but they start believing in option 1. You become the force. You push yourself and pull your friends together. (5/10 recommended, can be detrimental in long term)
- You are surrounded by motivated, visionary people. Who enjoy college but not at the expense of whatever they are passionate about. They pull you when you fall, and push you when you stop. 10/10 recommended)
Your personality is a chameleon. Choose the right color.
Risk, Fail, Rise, Repeat
Experimentation → Invention.
Conventionalism → Obsolescence
You don’t need to be a Sharma ji ka beta. Get free from the validation. Stop trying to always make the right decisions. Failing is important, being proved wrong is important. Controversial, but take risks until you are wrong. Because you’ll never know what’s right. Besides, you got nothing to lose (trust me on this, the things you think are crucially important to you, 3 years later they won’t even matter. Do not apply this to personal relationships, be smart)
Every once in a while, appreciate yourself. Know that you are doing good. Make sure that you have something new to be proud of, don’t be too harsh on yourself. Rest of the while, strive for excellence.
I have so much more to write and say, but you know how thoughts of home make you feel overwhelmed. I hope you find your home in IPM, IIMR too.
Xoxo with a lump in my throat,
Vaishnavi Somani,
IPM126-21
CR, IPM
[This was my email signature]
