#GraduateStories: How I Got the Billiards Ball Rolling at Ashoka

“There are plenty of people for you at Ashoka to eventually find your circle and have the greatest 4 years of your life on campus.”

I still remember when I first arrived at Ashoka, my early days were largely spent around the pool and snooker tables. Students full of sheer passion and skill around me sparked the idea that Ashoka deserved its own Billiards team. Building on this realisation, I collaborated with fellow enthusiasts and the Sports Department to found the Ashokan Billiards Team. This experience of taking initiative was just a teaser for the wide variety of student initiatives I was going to witness during my time here. From mesmerising theatre productions to an incredibly proactive student government, student initiative is what sets Ashoka apart.

I’ve taken courses ranging from Private Equity to Magic, Religion and Science. The Ashokan way of picking what you’ll study is truly amazing because it allows you to appreciate how ideas can connect across seemingly opposing disciplines. It has allowed me to challenge myself and navigate complexity in various unfamiliar contexts. It has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and speak my mind in class, even if I’m unsure of what I’m saying.

What I would miss the most about my time at Ashoka is being on the mess lawns during lunch hour. It’s that spontaneous space where you bump into people and have the most interesting conversations. Whether it’s hearing about a startup that a friend is working on, discussing an intriguing Media Studies assignment or dissecting the Indian cricket team’s performance – these moments are what have stayed with me the most.

Another beautiful aspect of Ashokan life is being on campus for the entire day. It’s here you make 1 AM plans to play beach volleyball or stay up in a friend’s room to catch the most exciting football games. I would advise new Ashokans not to be afraid of approaching other people and speaking their minds. There are plenty of people for you to eventually find your circle and have the greatest 4 years of your life on campus.

– Written by Aatmaj Kapoor, UG Sociology and Anthropology 2025 Batch