INTER-YEAR INTERACTIONS!

Hey there! I am a 2nd-year undergrad student from the chemical department, IIT Ropar. Furthermore, being on campus for six months or so, I've socialized with loads and loads of seniors from all year and every branch you can think of, owing to the beautiful culture of interaction the institute offers. Being completely blunt, interactions with peeps will make you survive here and enjoy your journey to the fullest.

Let us start with your batchmates, the 1st year. It is obvious you're definitely going to interact with them the most. You will all have the same classes, labs, clubs, and whatnot! My advice will be to talk to (or at least try to) as many peeps as you can at the start, remember, this is not just about making friends; it is also about making connections that will help you in the future. You do not have to go the extra mile to talk to them, they all are as new as you are. Go on, start with a smile and a hi!

Skipping on to the seniors! The part which makes your spine tickle. I've seen students being hesitant (dare I say, scared) to approach seniors, which I find absurd because seniors are the most important part of your institute. Stepping onto the campus, with a confused and overwhelmed look, you first meet your mentor (a 2nd-year student from your branch), who helps you in and around the campus. Transitioning from a JEE life into college life isn't easy to handle, but your mentor makes it smoother.

Anyways, the second-yearites are the ones who're managing the clubs. They are the ones who'll guide you about the little intricacies of college life since they're the ones who were in your shoes just a couple of months earlier. Many of them have started to find their footing in various specializations, from academics to arts, and you will always find someone willing to guide you in anything that interests you. This is the year you will be the closest with, try to get out of your comfort circle and talk to them. Not going to lie, I have a better friendship with a couple of seniors than I have with my batchmates!

Coming to the third year, this is the year which you'll probably get to see the least of, but also the one you should probably get the most inspired by. With internship season right on their heads coupled with a ginormous academic load, they have chosen their fields of specialization and are working to be masters in them. Also, being in the college for two years, they are well versed in the administrative and academic structure of the college, and therefore the student council, as well as the mentors for all the clubs, are usually from this year. Don't keep the 3rd year peeps aloof, you're sure to learn a lot from them.

Next, the fourth yearites! Determined and busy, since placement season is on, they're the ones who'll make you realize the value of college life since they're at the end of it. They have the most peculiar anecdotes and the best perspective of life since they know what sticks even after college and what is just momentary. The fourth year watches your batch with fondness because they see their past in you. MTech and Ph.D. interactions are also one of the most crucial ones since they're your TAs as well friends if you seem to share any common interests. Since many of them are from different colleges, they share experiences of different places with you.

Summing up, inter-year interactions are one of the most memorable things about your college life. You'll learn from them, have fun with them, sometimes get reprimanded, and sometimes get appreciated by them. It's a cycle that goes on since your seniors will enrich you with their experiences, and you'll do the same to your juniors. Ultimately, you will find yourself in a special bond with them. All I would like to say is don't leave a blank spot in your canvas painted with memories :)