If someone asks me what was the best time in my life without even thinking twice i would say my college days in women's college,Trivandrum . I've never experienced such a free life before or after that. I don't remember a security guard standing there at the gates. We used to go out and come in whenever we liked. We would go out, do a circle around the college,visit santha glass house, look at the new earrings and again walk.
If the other friend who was a science student was able to get out of her class and come to our class we used to jump out of the class through the back door. We would go to the canteen and sit there for hours. We only had very little money to spend but it was enough to buy us vada and tea.
In the afternoons we would sit under the big old tree inside the campus and talk and talk. No professors questioned us, no letters went to parents. They treated us like adults and gave us the full freedom to decide what's good for us or bad. I didn't attend a single class of hindi, second language. Still i was able to write the exam and no extra fine or summoning parents happened. It was the most wonderful times of my life. Of course there were very studious girls who would attend every single class and write notes.
I used to wonder if my son would ever be able to say the same thing about his college life. Answer is NO. As soon as I went to his college during admission time I was told by a mother that if you wear jeans chances of your kid getting admission is almost nil. The students were supposed to wear full sleeves and pants for boys and girls were supposed to not to wear tights, leggings or even churi bottoms which might be a little tight. Such an atmosphere would make one feel suffocated. These are the times these kids can express themselves and feel free. But no. I had to go twice to sit infront of the counselor as well as vice principal because of lack of attendance. I've seen parents came from Guwahati and punjab. All of them were shaking their heads at the plight waiting their turns to go inside the room and listen to the speeches of how irresponsible our kids are. Traveling a total of 7 hrs to attend this half an hour ritual.
At the beginning of the college year I was summoned to be told that my son is in the company of bad kids and better ask him to leave that company. I told her that I will not do it. I know those kids and I know my son too. Her response was that all parents trusts what the children says and then suffer. My question is If we don't trust our kids who else would? If they think one kid is bad for whatever reason they think , isn't it their responsibility to talk to the child and help him get out of the situation? But that would be a hard job, easier is to leave him alone and brand him as bad. Well, if the student isn't attending classes and fails in examinations, he pays for his ignorance. That's his punishment which will teach him a lesson. Let them makes mistakes and learn from their mistakes . Treat them with respect and don't trample their pride. Let them say the college days inside campus was the unforgettable times in their lives for all the right reason...... Just thought of all this when I saw the silent protest of students in a famous college in Bangalore.:)
If the other friend who was a science student was able to get out of her class and come to our class we used to jump out of the class through the back door. We would go to the canteen and sit there for hours. We only had very little money to spend but it was enough to buy us vada and tea.
In the afternoons we would sit under the big old tree inside the campus and talk and talk. No professors questioned us, no letters went to parents. They treated us like adults and gave us the full freedom to decide what's good for us or bad. I didn't attend a single class of hindi, second language. Still i was able to write the exam and no extra fine or summoning parents happened. It was the most wonderful times of my life. Of course there were very studious girls who would attend every single class and write notes.
I used to wonder if my son would ever be able to say the same thing about his college life. Answer is NO. As soon as I went to his college during admission time I was told by a mother that if you wear jeans chances of your kid getting admission is almost nil. The students were supposed to wear full sleeves and pants for boys and girls were supposed to not to wear tights, leggings or even churi bottoms which might be a little tight. Such an atmosphere would make one feel suffocated. These are the times these kids can express themselves and feel free. But no. I had to go twice to sit infront of the counselor as well as vice principal because of lack of attendance. I've seen parents came from Guwahati and punjab. All of them were shaking their heads at the plight waiting their turns to go inside the room and listen to the speeches of how irresponsible our kids are. Traveling a total of 7 hrs to attend this half an hour ritual.
At the beginning of the college year I was summoned to be told that my son is in the company of bad kids and better ask him to leave that company. I told her that I will not do it. I know those kids and I know my son too. Her response was that all parents trusts what the children says and then suffer. My question is If we don't trust our kids who else would? If they think one kid is bad for whatever reason they think , isn't it their responsibility to talk to the child and help him get out of the situation? But that would be a hard job, easier is to leave him alone and brand him as bad. Well, if the student isn't attending classes and fails in examinations, he pays for his ignorance. That's his punishment which will teach him a lesson. Let them makes mistakes and learn from their mistakes . Treat them with respect and don't trample their pride. Let them say the college days inside campus was the unforgettable times in their lives for all the right reason...... Just thought of all this when I saw the silent protest of students in a famous college in Bangalore.:)
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