Student’s Corner

The student corner is an exclusive section which brings to you the literary creation, pen-craft, creative content contributed by students.

When to ask Why…

I respect the words pain, depression and vain for the sole reason of their genuineness. They are not hypocrites hiding a devilish horn behind an angelic smile, unlike the word “why”. Elevated to the fundamental need that ensures an endless stream of knowledge, the word “why” safely camouflages the anxious and obsessed narcissist.

As I encountered a silly stumble in my academic life, which slipped my safety belt an inch, it felt like a mile, magnified by my mood swings. Although its an insignificant moment which deserves to be forgotten soon, it hovered around to cast a dismaying shadow over my sunny meadows. To help my hormones surf over the deep blues, I decided to select an eligible candidate to share my sorrow, and to my wonder, failed miserably. The reason was far from the availability and was rather, the suitability. As I questioned my ill fate of enduring an extra cotton bag, I realised the people around had a wet one. It was disgusting and shameful to realise that I let myself be a ready abode for the self-obsessed “why”. This narcissistic soul, split into a million Horcruxes, has stealthily crept inside most of us at least once, if not more.

As we curse ourselves, screaming “Why me?”, it’s not us but this parasitic soul that is in control. This egomaniac “why” is dormant to dopamine but gets triggered instantly with a spurt of serotonin. As we laugh away with friends or cuddle in a safe hug or proudly lift the champions trophy, we never ask “Why me?”, but it’s almost an inevitable question when the glitter fades.

Having fumed in isolation and regained my sanity later, a moment of reflection taught me that acceptance in itself is liberation. Just the act of being deeply aware that it is not oneself in control empowers one to fight against one’s possessed acts.

Our bodies are pure, made to nest the kindest heart, broadest mind and deepest thoughts.
Don’t disgrace it by letting in the demonic shade of “why”. It merely proves you to be a defeatist!

Adore the “why” that seeks,
Avoid the “why” that stabs.

– Namita S
PGP 2020-22

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L-SQUARE

“So, this is the coveted L-Square?”, I asked. “Yes”, my friend said in a low voice as my face was dejected enough for my friend to know that I was not at all amused by the hype built around it. After patiently waiting for 5 months, staying in quarantine for 15 days, attending classes for 8 hours, messing up in a presentation, missing dinner and shifting from MDC to my hostel room in the middle of the night to finally experience hostel days for the first time in my life, I was standing in an open space with only a single graffiti, zero people and 3 hostel blocks around it. “Yes, just the end I wanted to such a horrible day.”, I thought. Little did I know what awaited me in the next 2 months.

Two days later, the screen of my phone glowed and a message popped on it. The CR asked all of us to gather at L-Square at 11:45 PM to celebrate a classmate’s birthday. “Why that same bland place?”, I thought as I walked towards L-Square. Finally, I met my classmates after a long covid-induced wait. And even after attending classes for 8 hours and completing an assignment immediately after that, each and everyone at L-Square sang their lungs out, laughed their hearts out and enjoyed as if there was no tomorrow. That is when I realized that I was laughing out loud after a long time. I really missed going out, meeting my friends and celebrating their birthdays (courtesy COVID again, arrgh). But my wish finally came true and how!

The next 2 months were probably the best 2 months I have ever had. We had laterals and final placements where we saw our seniors fight their hearts out for their dream jobs and dance their hearts out after getting them. We had Unmaad where all of us really went Unmaad to win all the events. Spardha came shortly after where we shed our individual identities. We played as a section. We cheered as a section. We celebrated the winners’ trophy at L-Square as a section. We had club parties, farewells, photoshoots and everything that I could have dreamt of in a hostel life.

We studied together. We completed our assignments together. We had our late-night Maggi together. We danced together. We sang together. We did everything together. Today, when I sit at home and think about my short campus with no certainty of whether we will go back next year or not, I can only say two things. That this was an experience I will neither forget nor regret. And that L-Square was in the middle of it all.

When I was walking down the corridor while leaving for home, I waited in front of L-Square to see the stone walls one last time (for the time being, hopefully). I realized that this place is not that bad. In fact, it was never just a place. It is not about the graffiti or the stone flooring or the blocks around it. L-Square is all about what we make of it. “You win, mate”, I thought as I started walking again. “Told you”, came a voice. Maybe I could finally hear L-Square. Or maybe I was hallucinating because of the lack of sleep the previous night. Who knows?

– Shaswata Saha
PGP 2020-22

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The Secret of Introversion

Would you get into an argument to prove that you are an introvert? Well, I would. In fact, I have done that on several occasions. Funnily enough, it happens to be my trigger point. Quite recently, a lot of people mistook me for an extrovert. And, I would go all out to explain the reasoning and the science of introversion to them.

So, my overthinking brain pondered. Eventually, I asked to myself, “Why do people mistake me for an extrovert?”

The first thing that stands out is,”Probably, because I ‘TALK‘?”

I am good at conversing one on one. I usually listen proactively and keep the conversation going. And I can be fun if I am around my close circle. Add to that my curiosity. I love to understand people and listen to their stories. Sometimes, I do end up initiating a conversation if I can’t resist. In a way, you can assume that I end up knowing a lot of people.

And, then there are things that people believe only extroverts do.

Express themselves.

If you observe the pattern here, generally, we tend to equate openness and sociability to extroversion. Compare it to someone who is reserved and soft-spoken types and you will fall for the trap.

So, far I have been beating around the bush. Or more precisely, setting the tone. So, let’s jump into the point.

This blog is all about the mistaken identity and the mystery called introversion. I felt this is something that needs to be out there. We need to precisely understand that ‘Introversion is not shyness.’

Before we understand the meaning of introversion. Let me put it out there that no one is 100% introvert nor 100% extrovert. The mistaken dichotomy is, in reality, works as a continuum. Similar to the visible spectrum of light, introversion has different shades to it.

For instance, look at the image below. What do you think about this picture? If you have read it right, you can probably infer that Introversion and Extroversion are two ends of the same straw.

For example, someone lying on the right half of this scale would have more introversion tendency than those lying on the left half. Only a person lying on either one of the tips could be considered a ‘True Introvert/Extrovert’.

This is highly unlikely since our personalities are dynamic. We react differently to different kinds of situations. Both of these tendencies exist in each one of us, but it is controlled by our physiology. (The science behind this can be found here.)

To keep it simple, we tend to identify ourselves with the dominant trait and hence the concept of Introversion and Extroversion.

So, how do we go about it?

You can use this simple analogy to understand.

Consider a battery. The battery could be empty or fully charged. As science tells us, a fully charged battery will have electric power and the empty one is obviously drained.

If you had to make a comparison, Introverts are the fully charged battery, and extroverts, the empty ones (Worry not extroverts, you might still have something to look forward to in life :P).

So, what happens to a fully charged battery when used? It drains. And, soon it would run out of charge. The battery will have to be replaced or recharged for use.

Introverts behave exactly like a fully charged battery. They will do everything a normal human being is supposed to do. Be it talking, dancing, singing or anything they like. However, there’s a limit to how long they can do it. Being around others for a long time drains their energy, both mental and physical. This, in turn, urges them to isolate themselves. They crave some alone time to recharge themselves. Once recharged, the cycle continues. This is why you might often find that introverts tend to go off the radar for a few days before they show up again.

An extrovert, on the other hand, tends to enjoy being around others. Interacting with others recharges their battery. It is exciting for them. This is why they tend to talk, socialize, and indulge in activities that involve more people. Or appear more active, in general.

It is tough for an extrovert to be alone for a long spell of time, put them in a room and cut them off from the world for a few days and you will know. Introverts, on the other end, tend to enjoy solitude. It helps them process and reflect on their thoughts and learning. They take this time to process all that has happened in the last few days. Besides, they also use this time to pursue their interests and work on something.

A dab of science here.

Science tells you that introverts tend to have a low threshold to external stimulation since their sensory system is highly active. Whereas an extrovert has a passive sensory system, and their brain craves for stimulation.

Some parting thoughts

Both introverts and extroverts share similarities. They differ in the way they channel their mental energy. Introverts can be talkative, sociable, lively, active, assertive etc. Extroverts need not be social, outgoing, talkative or anything that we tend to associate with them. No one type is better than the other. Being an introvert or extrovert has nothing to do with who you are and what you believe in. You can be an extremely outgoing introvert or a reserved extrovert. So, what about the ones who have a hard time socializing you ask? That is called Social Anxiety, my friend. It is a topic for another day.

Alrighty…. now I feel drained. Off to a nap now, see you until next time!

Disclaimer: I am no expert in Psychology. I have written this blog using the commonly available information. Pardon me, if there is any factually incorrect information.

– Sashidhar S
PGP 2020-22

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