#OhThePlacesYouWillGo – Curiosity Will Take You Further

My first day at Ashoka was honestly a little overwhelming. Coming from Kerala, I expected things to be different, but I don’t think I realised just how different moving to North India would be-the weather, the language, and just how different everyday life felt outside the university. On campus, it was the smaller things: figuring out where everything was, understanding how things worked, and trying to make sense of a place where everyone else seemed to know exactly what they were doing. For the first few days, I was mostly just taking everything in and trying to find my footing.

Adjusting to university academics took some getting used to as well. It wasn’t just about keeping up with readings or submitting assignments on time; it was about approaching ideas differently. One course that really stayed with me was Introduction to Critical Thinking. It completely changed the way I approached writing. Instead of seeing writing as just another assignment, I started seeing it as a way of exploring ideas and making sense of questions that genuinely interested me. I think that’s also when I realised I enjoyed asking questions much more than merely memorising answers. The classes I enjoyed the most were always the ones I was genuinely curious about, and that curiosity made putting in the effort feel worthwhile.

Looking back, I don’t think I’ve become a completely different person. But I do think I’ve become more comfortable exploring my interests without feeling like I need to have everything planned out. One of the things I’ve appreciated most about Ashoka is that it gives you the space to ask questions, explore different interests, and take your time figuring out what you genuinely enjoy.

Outside the classroom, many of my favourite memories came from the communities I found on campus. One of the most meaningful was being part of Alankar. Singing has been something I’ve loved for years, so having a space to continue that at Ashoka has meant a lot to me. Rehearsals, preparing for performances, and simply getting to sing every week became something I genuinely enjoyed.

When I think about my first year now, it’s not the big events that come to mind first. It’s the random game nights that somehow lasted much longer than they were supposed to, late-night walks around campus with friends, conversations after dinner that went in every possible direction, and all the ordinary moments that slowly became some of my favourite memories from the year.

If I could tell an incoming first-year one thing, it’d be this: don’t worry if you don’t have everything figured out. Give yourself the time to explore, stay curious, and try things that genuinely interest you. Looking back, I think that’s exactly what my first year was about.

Gayathri