Lessons I learnt this semester - Fall 2007

Apart from the academics which has been the primary goal of me being in stony Brook, I believe the entire semester has been a series of educative experiences (cannot be put on a resume though:)). It gave me a chance to look into myself and learn a lot from others.
The early days in the semester were tough ones getting acquainted to the climate, sparse population and moreover not being close to family and friends. Although hard, these were days of excitement. Exploring the campus, meeting people, discussing about their behavior, gestures, walking in the bright unpolluted sunshine to make our body ready for the cold weather. Calling parents, letting them know about US and keeping their excitement alive was all that I did. At the same time we friends were not together. I was temporarily accommodated in a different apartment. This was the time when I realized that how dependent are we on others and why man turned into a social animal:). Also not trying to be spiritual, but truly praying to GOD imparted a lot of positiveness and confidence.
Lesson: You cannot live without parents and friends. Believe in God and talk to Him.
Then were the golden days when the semester commenced. With full energy and concentration I gathered whatever I could and tried my best in all the courses. I was impressed by the way learning goes in this university. It was altogether different than what we have in India. I managed scoring highest in almost all the projects and assignments. I was very happy with my progress and thought that I can do things well and can beat even the IITians and the BITS,Pillani crowd. But soon came the midterms where I was shattered when I scored average in the midterm of algorithms (course) which I liked the most even when I scored well in other courses. This was a must needed experience. It made me humble and made me realize that many other students possess strong analytical skills which they proved in the test.
Lesson: You are not always the best. Learn what is best in others. Be polite and humble. Modesty is a quality of genius.
With the midterm’s scores out, I happened to lose confidence in myself. This was the phase when my friends came in for rescue. They helped and motivated me and so did I when they were depressed. This strengthened our comradeship. When I look back at this phase, I think that it went a bit long which should not have. I should have cheered up soon and got back to work. This would have helped me cope up with the approaching project and assignment deadlines.
Lesson: Learn what went wrong and get back to work. Extreme thinking on failures is futile. Effective Time Management is the most important factor in achieving success.
I met my Host family twice this semester though I was invited 4 times. I could not make it for the rest two. Although Americans they made every effort to make me feel comfortable by cooking Indian cuisine, being very kind, respecting me as a person, asking questions to get familiarized with my culture. Its expensive to have guests in US. Why did they call me and other students then? According to them they just liked to make international students feel comfortable and also wanted to know about other cultures. They also wanted me to fix up their computer and tell them about how to install things. The fact that grannie and grandpa at the age of 70 wish to learn amazed me because with the strenuous workload in MS I thought I would never study again. I don’t know how do I thank them for all that they did to me.
Lesson: Love and respect others, you get the same back. One should learn until the last breath. The biggest happiness is when you give someone something which cannot be returned back.
With the finals approaching I had to gear up with my studies. It gave me great pleasure helping my friends here in their studies (as in India :)) but the difference was that there were times when I was dependent on them for my studies too. So I felt the other side as well. I knew what I expected when someone had to explain me so would I try to explain when I had to explain them. So it was kind of a great experience in terms of group studying, helping each other and moreover understanding people.
Lesson: TeamWork eases pressure. Contribution to the team is important. Considerable amount of contribution earns respect from the team.
I landed up scoring an ok GPA. I felt bad because I expected more. But this did not depress me as much as I was during midterms. I realized that its not about being the topper that makes us intellectual. I have seniors who scored good grades (not the best) to get into firms like google and Microsoft which even the toppers could not. I knew that I learnt a lot and really enjoyed studying. I have got the requisite gpa to be eligible for interviews but I need to push myself hard to crack them and I will do that.
Lesson: At certain point of time, what matters is knowledge and not the score or the rank that you earn.
Well throughout the semester I met people who were good to me sometimes and sometimes not. Even though I disliked these people who were politically correct in answering, spoke on my back, used me, dint like me; the amazing qualities that few possessed was they knew how to get their work done somehow. I looked out to them as more of management students rather than MS students. I just cannot say “NO” to people which I must learn not to do for my benefit.
Lesson: Try to identify people as in their nature. There’s always something to learn from all. Don’t say “Yes” when you want to say “No”.

Lot many things going around in my mind many more things that I learnt but I guess I bored you enough with this :). Even though I do not like to be in the US, I think it’s a wonderful experience being here once. It can help you learn life.