Dreams Do Come True

◦ Life gives you what you want, but you have to work hard for that, really hard. Taking criticism and appreciation both positively, even though it is difficult at times. Who doesn’t face the teenage dilemma of peer pressure, expectations of parents, fear to lose your friends, coping up with exams, how to balance personal life and academics etc. ! Coming from a small city like Amritsar, I had to face almost all the above cited examples. After completion of my Class XII exams, I wanted to join the Girls College as all my friends were going there. But my father wanted me to appear for Entrance of Graduation English Honours Course available at Department of English, Guru Nanak Dev University Campus. Boom! That means, going away from my peers, which I never wanted. The fear of losing your friends, your group of people- your comfort zone, to be precise. But I didn’t have the courage to defy my dad, as I had a very strict upbringing (he was a former boxing champion and at times punch me and my brother too).

◦ Going against Dad means revolt and the consequences means I’ll be making my parents unhappy and not living up to their dreams. Little I knew, he wanted me to dream bigger and live that life (which I realized later with a passage of time). University Campus for any 17-year-old is like a wonderland, initially you don’t even understand what all is happening around, since you just came from school. Moreover, meeting new faces, that too few from metropolitans was again a surprise (they’re also equally surprised as we are from small city). Interacting with them later made me realize that they are inquisitive and welcoming. That was a learning lesson, don’t be scared of meeting new people in life and learn from them as well. I was still juggling with going and meeting my old group in the college during weekend as I got time then only. And my means of transport was a cycle. Rushing from home (which was very far) to Girls College and University sometimes as I was participating in various co-curricular activities was extremely tiring, yet I loved it. Now, I give 100% credit to university life that what I’m today all coz of that. Balancing my academics and sports life, as I was into swimming and judo and participated in poster making competition, Inter University Debate, Chess, Singing and I was also learning a foreign language (French). 

◦ Pocket money was a big issue too, as we hardly got any, so I was busy with giving tuitions at my home (early morning) and earned pretty well. I had no distractions like our present gen as we were busy with our tight schedule. Moreover, our generation wasn’t into any fake social media image. I used to have a limited set of clothes even though I belonged to a well-off family, and I was making a good amount from tuitions too. But our mindset was off to concentrate on studies and do well in co-curricular activities and honestly no time for pretending to anyone. Our life was limited to that small city and perhaps that was a boon for us. Only challenge was to excel in academics and strike a balance between studies and sports. Since childhood I have been an all-rounder and I always look myself in that perspective only. I was focused, had a dream, short term goals to accomplish and later long-term goals too. 

◦ Let me add, I had my share of ups and downs too. Not getting selected for university team initially, not being able to make it for Inter University Debate in the first year, all this broke my heart but didn’t take away my determination. A big jolt came just a day before my final exams of BA First year, I met with an accident at home. Cooker got burst and I got burnt. I had a narrow escape, but the pain wasn’t simply physical but mental too. Treatment continued for almost 1 year and for a person like me who was actively participating in almost every activity you name being conducted in the university was now not in a position to do so. The only thing which kept me going was my faith that I’ll be fine and come back stronger. A person who was physically strong and mentally much stronger, she also felt weak at times, but she had to go on. At that phase of teenage, you want to look good and with one burnt arm and blisters it was devastating. I wasn’t depressed exactly but not happy of course. But my parents, friends and teachers were supportive and made me realize you don’t have to be perfect to be lovable and admired. Those who love you and value you, will accept you with your imperfections too. I was an average looking college going girl but what made me different was my confidence and self-belief. I still have scars on my arm, few on wrist but I’m not shy neither embarrassed coz of them. I’m more than what I look physically, my strength is my education, my forte is my confidence which I gained by participating in different events. 

◦ All teenagers out there, focus on your inner strength and mental power. That’s more important than simply outward looks. You have everything to be a success, just believe in yourself. Dare to dream and work hard to achieve those dreams. Dreams do come true.