විශ්ව විද්‍යාලය

Looking back at the first 365 days

University life is an experience like no other, I’m sure the alumni would more strongly agree to this more than any other. It’s a roller coaster ride of 4 years with its ups and inevitable downs.

Do you ever take a step back and think what if you chose a different path? 400 odd people who seem to have secured their place in your heart would merely be strangers, 1000 memories to cherish for a life time will not be yours.

As a first year stepping in to the second year, I often ask myself .. What more does this university have in store for me?

These 365 days have given me 1000 stories to relive, 1000 memories to share and 1000 reasons to smile.

We stepped on to this new life full of hearsay and not exactly knowing what to expect. But each of us with the intention of ‘come what may’.

Day by day the university premises is seemingly more homely .. Many can be seen dwelling in the blue side or the infamous open canteen with dozens of excuses not to go back to their homes or the boarding’s. Is it the free Wi-Fi? Or is it something more?

University for all is an eye opener, I think we can all agree that it is much much more than just a place to get our academic qualification .. it’s more of an added benefit. It adds both an academic and an aesthetic value to our lives.

Our university life is adorned with many activities, traditions and functions, in the light of these functions we often forget to attend lectures or to an extreme level even forget some of the course units we are doing. But the beauty of university life is to somehow at the nick of time face the exams boldly and come out surviving with all these extra activities.

First year was a colorful year. First year was a magnificent year, the first year is a year to celebrate. We faced many challenges, we dealt with many tasks, and we faced them boldly and strongly. The year kick started with the fresher’s meet. Where our girls and boys alike pushed to their limits, fought tooth and nail to emerge as the champions against the other faculties of the University of Colombo. It was an effort combined together with our blood and sweat. And it was definitely one of our proudest moments to hold the trophy up high.

Then came the duty of the making the ‘Aurudhu kama mese’ which was a beautiful function filled with food and color to celebrate one our glorious traditions, the Sinhala and Tamil new year.

Many functions such as the vesak, bakthi geetha followed. One of the main highlights of the year and the entire university life will certainly be the ‘welcome’. The night to celebrate talent and glamour. We dressed up, paired up and even took the stage to dance and sing.

We have sung together and dance together. Laughed louder and even at times cried together. And we climbed mountains together.

All of these activities had one thing in common.. it sure was a promising challenge, but it taught each and every one that unity and collaboration can do wonderful things .. that for success to be achieved unity is mandatory.

We are stepping in to a whole new year with the assurance of having a strong support system made of 400 odd people.

We have made new friends who are almost family, whom we can count on in times of need, to lift our spirits when we are down. And whom we definitely have to share your food with whether we like it not.

Last but not least, love is always in the air in this academia. From shy secret glances to holding hands. Love adds beauty and meaning to our lives. It is a delight to say some of the lucky ones have already found their life partners, but also as the tradition compels found their way to the ‘goda party’.

And as a last note,

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” – Napoleon Hill

As the wise words of Napoleon Hill says, may our bonds grow stronger each day to help each other to be stronger individually.

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About the author

නටාශා ඔවිටිපන

විද්‍යා පීඨය - උපාධිධාරිනි
කොළඹ විශ්ව විද්‍යාලය

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