Have you become disenchanted with university?

I

Which school and college we go to are important decisions in our lives. The school decision lays our foundation. The high school and college decisions determine in what competitive environment we sit for our SSC/HSC or O/A Levels.

Our parents will probably determine the answers to the above questions. They would probably have contingency plans, too, should something go wrong.

The challenge starts when we enter the next stage in life. Which university, and which subject or discipline do we choose? At the age of 18, the society makes us believe that we have become adults. Thus, we can decide on our own.

II

We are influenced by many factors when deciding which university and what discipline to go for. We look at the quality of the university and the value of the discipline in that university. We look at how effective these indicators will be on the job market. The location of the university influences us. Do we leave our homes? If yes, what type of accommodation is available? Can we adapt?

We are also influenced by the choice of our friends.

III

Before day one at university, we are divided into two streams. Some belong to the stream who got the first choice in their ranking preference. Others, not that fortunate. They came to their university and discipline not by choice, but from circumstances. The parents may have decided a university or discipline not to their liking. The choice could be one at or near their hometown.

When the first year has finished, one group will enter the second year with good results. Another group will enter with grades beyond repair. No matter how much they try, that CGPA cannot be fixed.

We have some serious grumpy faces in midstream.

IV

The disenchanted can neither go back, nor do they find the mental strength to go forward. One group channels out preparing themselves for various competitive exams in the job market. You see their tables stacked with guide books much more than texts. Sadly, the libraries of many universities have become a place for group study of competitive exams, not course exams.

The other disenchanted groups go through the motions. There is uncertainty everywhere.

V

What do you do when you are disenchanted, when you realise you cannot adapt to your university? You can join the Joneses above, or you can experiment in alternative areas. Only you know what you are good at, and what you can be good at if you try.

Legendary actor Humayun Faridi was an alumnus of Economics at Jahangirnagar University. Shykh Seraj studied Geography at Dhaka University. They did not pursue a career in their subjects, but they did stick to what they loved, and they loved what they did.

If you feel disenchanted in midstream, take a leaf from Faridi, Seraj, and others. There is always an outlet that makes you breathe air, and feel the sunshine. You have to find it out.

Asrar Chowdhury is a professor of economics. He follows Test cricket, listens to music, and spins vinyls when he has free time. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]