14 March 2015

#StartANewLife

I have been born and brought up in Mumbai - in a suburb called Ghatkopar. I did my schooling and also attended college in Ghatkopar. During vacations, my parents took my brother and me around India, but the rest of my time was all spent in Ghatkopar. I was so comfortable and used to this place, that I chose a college in Ghatkopar so that I wouldn't have to travel anywhere outside. By the number of times I have used Ghatkopar in this para, you can understand how attached I was to my place of birth :-D

After college, I wanted to do MBA. Even there, except for the IIMs (the best B-schools in India), I was only looking at B-schools in Mumbai. I was so sheltered and protected that I did not want to explore outside. And then came the blow - my mom wanted me to get married. Suddenly the shelter was smothering me and I had to get out! So I applied to B-schools all across the country and got into one of the best ones in Gurgaon. I was so happy when I got the letter telling me I had been selected. My parents were so proud and my mom gave up on those marriage plans :-)

But once the news had sunk in, I was scared. It started penetrating my mind that I would be living alone for the next 2 years. No parents, no friends, no familiar surroundings.

Source: Click here

My parents came to leave me in Gurgaon and help me settle down in the hostel. All the way to Gurgaon and while shopping for the essentials with my parents, I kept asking myself - Did I make a mistake? Would I be able to live alone? I was already getting homesick. Things became worse once the classes started at the B-school. The professors were strict, I had a number of assignments from the first day, had pop quizzes and interviews for placements in the middle of the night from the second day itself. My apprehensions increased. I was barely getting to see my parents who were leaving in a day or so and had barely slept 3-4 hours in 2 days!!! My parents returned to Mumbai on the third day and I just got depressed. This was worse than I had expected; I didn't think I would survive.

But as they say, the day is darkest before dawn. In the evening on the third day, the whole batch was called together for a group photo and we were drenched in water thrown from above by the senior batch. And then it struck me - the last 3 days had been a scam... it was only ragging by the senior batch! I was so relieved. 

After what I just described, the actual 2 years of MBA were of course much easier. :-) It was the start of a new life - a very exciting new life! The first 3 days had paved the way for the next 2 years - nothing that came afterwards was tough. Of course, that does not mean it was a cakewalk. But my relief once the ragging was over helped me get over my homesickness and throw myself whole and soul into B-school life. Its a very different life - you are on your own with 150 other students who are strangers. You learn to take care of yourself, make new friends, juggle studies and fun - there are no parents to discipline you, you discipline yourself. If you do not, you suffer the consequences.

I learnt so many things in my 2 years in Gurgaon:

  • I learnt to manage time - work hard but at the same time have loads of fun. Study hard so as to maintain my grades (especially since I wanted to get into Finance), but party just as hard, sometimes at the cost of sleep. But who needs sleep when you are having fun right? ;-) 
  • I learnt to make friends - I am quite a shy person. But when you are thrown among strangers, you learn how to develop your own support system through a network of friends. I learnt to overcome my shyness and left the B-school with lifelong friends.
  • I got to discover my own strengths - I was always hard working, but now I understood that I could achieve anything that I set my mind to.
I actually grew up. My mom commented on this once I came back to Mumbai after finishing my MBA. She saw that I had become independent, was more confident, that I could make my own decisions; and I was actually more happy :-) My B-school experienced changed me - in so many ways; in all good ways.

And it made me realize, change is good. I was scared to leave my sheltered life, but I ended up having the best experiences of my life. So always look up, just like it says in the below video of housing.com, because everything happens for the best :-)

73 comments:

  1. Hey ROsh, I know how new changes can be really difficult..
    Glad u took this new change positively n made most of it.
    I accept big changes easily but strangely grumpy abt small changes like recently got a new phone hating the new interface ;)

    AnanyaTales

    Facebook


    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey ROsh, I know how new changes can be really difficult..
    Glad u took this new change positively n made most of it.
    I accept big changes easily but strangely grumpy abt small changes like recently got a new phone hating the new interface ;)

    AnanyaTales

    Facebook


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha .. but it is good that you accept big changes :)

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  3. lovely post
    http://dressedwithimen.blogspot.com/

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  4. Very challenging and inspirational quotes!
    Have an amazing weekend! ;)
    ♥♥♥
    Jeanne
    http://fashionmusingsdiary.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice post dear!
    Good to know you've discovered alot of positive things about yourself..
    http://dimplekhadi.blogspot.com/2015/03/sporty-but-chic.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice blog! thank you for your comment! I am following you already! BEAUTYPUSINKA

    ReplyDelete
  7. Changes are vey difficult but it's for good most of the times!
    It's very nice knowing you better.

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for your visit, you have a very nice blog =)
    I follow you now with the name As extremos, i hope you follow me back
    Kiss**

    http://friendshipandstyle.blogspot.pt/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Honestly, when I finish high school I want nothing more than to go to uni in a different city, even though one of the best universities are in my own. I just feel as if I want that independent experience that you've clearly had. Making new friends, fending for yourself. I'm afraid I'll never move out if I don't force the change.

    -M
    The Life of Little Me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thats a great idea. Believe me, you will have the most wonderful time :)

      Delete
  10. Thank you for visiting my blog!
    Followed you. Waiting for you to follow back. xoxo

    http://ohmymascara.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great post!I love your blog!
    Would you like to follow each other on GFC? Please let me know on my blog so I can follow back. Thank you.
    have a nice day!
    kisses
    www.chaneldea.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. very beautiful blog- I love your pictures :)
    I follow you as Fife Fantasi Nails on GFC, G+ and bloglovin- I will be very happy to see you among my followers :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice to read this post.True words to ponder about.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for visiting my blog. I am following you. Also in G+.
    You have a great blog.

    ReplyDelete
  15. hi! Thanks for visiting my blog. I follow you, so now please follow back and liked my fun page

    Kiss

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'd like to follow each other. Following you via gfc and g+ ,
    Be sure to follow back!
    xx
    http://www.spaventaremoda.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey Thanks for the lovely comment!! Following you now, Hope you follow back!!!
    resh-inspire.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for your adorable comment! I wish you an amazing Sunday!
    XO
    Jeanne
    http://www.fashionmusingsdiary.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous15.3.15

    hi, I am following you on G+ and facebook. I liked it. I cannot follow on GFC. Because it seems in error gadget to me. Please follow me. I am waiting.

    http://ciziyorumdikiyorum.blogspot.com.tr/

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am once like you, living a sheltered life. Hopefully I'll get to experience something new one day.
    Its great to hear the things you have overcome!

    Shalay,
    itsjustshalay.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Good post! You ask me about each follow on GFC. I follow you yet and I'm waiting for you :)
    Have a nice day!
    http://stylbycia.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  22. nice post I follow you already :)
    slodkieslodkieczary.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. You will always be glad you did this. Good for you. I follow you on GFC

    Deedee

    http://madeupgirl-madeupgirl.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for your visit:)

    i'm following you via gfc and g+, hope you can follow me back

    http://denimakeup95.blogspot.it/

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like you now on facebook ;) Please like mine https://www.facebook.com/slodkieslodkieczary/notifications/
    slodkieslodkieczary.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey, nice blog! thank's for visiting :)
    www.usomakeup.blogspot.com

    Kisses =*

    ReplyDelete
  27. I can totally relate to this post! I moved to Pune for my MBA as well... I know Pune isn't as far as Gurgaon but it definitely made me a stronger and more independent person!

    xoxo
    Karishma
    www.karishmalakdawalla.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can understand, Karishma :)

      Delete
  28. Great post :)
    Follow me?I follow you back :D
    Kisses ;*

    ReplyDelete
  29. great post. i hate changes and i am so scared of change but it usually ends up being better!

    www.simplymee89.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous16.3.15


    Thanks for folowing me I am following you back.I followed you on G+ and facebook.

    http://ciziyorumdikiyorum.blogspot.com.tr/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi, thanks for the comment on my blog. I'm following your blog now on GFC, Bloglovin' and Facebook, with the name Carina Pereira.
    Hope you can do the same :)

    http://mymemoriesmyworld2014.blogspot.pt/

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi girls ,
    Thanks ı follow you too :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great post!
    Maybe we can follow to each other? Let me know. :)

    www.anetesdomas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous16.3.15

    Hello I'm already here too! If you can, send me your link bloglovin because I found here! Kisses and already following you on GFC and Facebook

    http://simplesmentelilly.blogspot.com.br/

    ReplyDelete
  35. I loved to read specially the lessons you learned! I need to learn how to manage time just like you!
    Following :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Its easy to be near your parents, buts its def good you moved away and learned independence I have been through the same things as you and I am happier living with my brother but not my parents. I followed your social medias!


    http://www.beautycrayons.com/

    ReplyDelete
  37. Rosh... I am glad you were able to go to school instead of just getting married... it helped you so that when you did get married you were better prepared.... I never got to go to school that way, I missed out on it but I grew up by raising my oldest daughter on my own... it was a hard way to go but it worked out... we all have our paths xox

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks a bunch for stopping by my blog!! Sure I would love to follow each other on fb!! I'm following you now, please follow me back!! :)

    Keep in touch
    Charu
    http://www.myglossyaffair.com/

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog! I followed you on GFC, can you follow back please?
    And where can I follow you on Facebook?
    Thanks! xx
    http://retro-electric.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  40. LOVELY POST DEAR
    http://unconventionalsecrets.blogspot.it/

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow Rosh!! You've definitely learnt a lot..and I'm sure that made you the person you are now!! :) If only I could be as courageous as you now!! It was really refreshing to get upclose and personal with you! :)

    http://anshul90.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. This is a great post once again! Thank you for sharing your personal experiences with us. I think we all went through something similar and these parts of life, where you learn about yourself and you become more independent and confident are so important for us!
    xx
    http://cenestquedelachance.blogspot.de/

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello
    I'm already following you, could return?
    kisses
    Aquarela Pink

    ReplyDelete
  44. This is great! Glad you shared your feelings with us!
    xx
    www.JuneWantsItAll.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. lovely post

    Love Vikee
    www.slavetofashion9771.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Keep the positivity coming, babe. Nice! :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love that quote. X

    Follow me on GFC, I always follow back !
    WWW.HEKYMA.COM

    ReplyDelete
  48. a great blog, I like your style. Would you like to follow each other? let me know

    Sibaritismosdeinma

    ReplyDelete
  49. Sometimes change is all what we need and when its for positive, nothing can be better than that! :)

    Happy Weekend
    Ritcha
    http://www.myfashionfootprints.com/
    http://www.myglossyaffair.com/

    ReplyDelete
  50. amazing blog, if u wanna follow each other via GFC, plz let me know on my blog

    http://dressedwithimen.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi, great blog, I like it. Would you like to follow each other? let me know. kisses

    Sibaritismosdeinma

    ReplyDelete