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1)Tell us more about your role & responsibilities at your college.
As the coordinator of the poetry and creative writing society of the college, my job, primarily, is to mentor budding writers, and poets, and to help them become the best version of their artistic selves. Apart from that, I'm also responsible for lending the literary talent of my society to our college at large, hosting poetry slam competitions, among many others, and helping the members of my society, or my mentees, to participate and win in as many competitions as possible.
2)What is it like to juggle between a leadership role and normal college life?
If I said it felt like rainbows and candies, I'd be lying. Partly, at the very least. For most people, a normal college life entails going for classes, enjoying fests, exploring the city, and hanging out with their friends. However, it has never been like that for me; even when I did not have this position, I'd spend my days preparing myself for competitions, and helping others do the same. It isn't easy, in any way or form, missing classes, and hence, a lot of opportunities, is tough, and leaves me asking around for notes more often than not, but it is definitely worth it. Even as a school student, I was involved in societies, and even had the pleasure and the honour of heading a couple of them. That, I think, gave me the jump-start I needed to handle a similar kind of responsibility in college.
3) Do you enjoy the kind of influence you have at such a young age?
Absolutely! To say I love being a mentor would be an understatement- I revel in it! For most of my life, I did not have a mentor to help me with my art, and the fact that there are people who look at me as that figure, it makes me unbelievably happy. I wouldn't exchange the rapt expressions of my juniors when I'm taking a session, for anything else in the world.
4) Do you have a message for parents to allow their kids to do things besides academics?
My parents have always wanted me to learn as much as possible, since I was a mere kid. As I grew older, their support remained unwavering, even though a slight fear of academic failure crept in. However, a constant assurance from my side, and the fact that nothing made me happier than being able to practice my art, made them rest happy. Everything that I've learnt throughout my life, has helped me become a well-rounded individual. Apart from that, it's helped me achieve so much more than what I could've, as a simple academic. From my personal experience, a healthy, and balanced involvement in extra-curricular activities helps an individual to learn more about themselves, and gives them a tool which separates them from the crowd, which is extremely important for our future.
5) What did you do in your current role that really makes you feel proud of yourself?
My mentees have been doing incredibly well, this year! Apart from winning tons of prizes, which also include a lot of national awards, they've all grown as artists and have been able to develop their own voice. The proudest moment of my tenure was, when someone told me that the only way they stand to win a competition, is when no one from my society is present there. If I could, I'd have floated away from the amount of bliss I felt at the moment.
6) What is your message to encourage students to do internships and attend conferences?
Everyone has always told us, ever since we were in school, that college was supposed to be "real life," that it was when we finally went out in the world and learnt how to deal with the termination of the spoon-feeding, which a school student is used to. However, if all we do in college is go for classes, how would it be different from school? This part of our life is about growing, learning, and experiencing as much as we can, in the time that is given to us. For this, it is incredibly important to take up internships and go for conferences. Not only do they improve our resumé, they also help us gain valuable skill-sets which would definitely come of use in life.
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