My First Experience at MANIT Bhopal
The Beginning: Online Semester
Our first semester at MANIT Bhopal was entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It lasted just three months, a short duration again thanks to the virus. This initial period of remote learning felt somewhat detached, lacking the physical presence and the dynamic interactions that characterize college life.
First Time on Campus
In March 2022, we finally got the chance to experience college life in person. I was incredibly excited to see the campus for the first time. While I had seen videos on YouTube, they didn’t quite capture the vastness and atmosphere of the place. The campus of MANIT Bhopal is indeed expansive, covering approximately 650 acres. The hostels are quite a distance from the academic departments, which is why most students from the second year onward prefer using bikes for transportation. Although bicycles are an option, the culture here favors motorbikes for convenience.
Campus Life: Freedom and Fun
Campus life is a lot of fun. For students in their second year and beyond, there are no strict in-timings at the hostels. You have the freedom to explore, practice your interests, and enjoy a relatively unrestricted lifestyle—provided you stay within legal boundaries. The flexibility and freedom significantly enhance the campus experience for senior students.
First-Year Experience: Rules and Ragging
However, the experience for first-year students is markedly different due to rules and restrictions designed to protect them from ragging. While ragging still exists in some form, it has significantly toned down from the past. Now, it is more of a formal introduction, helping juniors bond with their seniors. For instance, I was asked to perform a bar dance on a popular song during a trip. This was initially embarrassing as someone from a boys’ school, but it became a fun and memorable experience. These interactions help juniors learn a lot from their seniors, which wouldn’t be possible without such engagements.
Societies, Clubs, and Events
MANIT Bhopal boasts various student-run societies and clubs, offering numerous opportunities to discover and nurture hidden talents. These organizations host competitions and events, making college life vibrant and engaging. Being part of a society or club not only provides work experience but also introduces you to a wonderful network of friends. I’m part of the Tooryanaad Samiti, a society dedicated to promoting the Hindi language. It organizes Tooryanaad, central India's largest Hindi fest in any technical institute. Over the past two years, my involvement in this society has been immensely rewarding, offering both personal growth and a sense of community.
Nightlife and Opportunities
Campus nightlife is another highlight. With night canteens and vending machines scattered across the campus, and no curfew for boys, nights are lively and enjoyable. Unfortunately, girls still face some restrictions, but the overall environment is supportive. College life also presents numerous opportunities like internships, startups, placements, and fest organization, which are crucial for overall development.
Classes, Attendance, and Exams
Classes typically start at 9 AM, but the struggle to wake up on time is real. The 75% attendance requirement is a common gripe among students, often more dreaded than the exams themselves. Despite this, attending classes is mostly for the sake of attendance, a sentiment likely shared by many college students.
Conclusion
This was initially embarrassing as someone from a boys’ school, but it became