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Since most college applicants in Pakistan are running around like headless chickens asking everyone they meet the following question, “XYZ field ZYX university mein pursue krna chahiye? What are the job prospects, DEGREE KI VALUE KYA HAI?” So, I’ve decided to share my perspective on Pakistani university life after personally spending time in GIKI and talking to friends attending other universities such as LUMS, Agha Khan University, and NUST. Here’s a breakdown of what matters in the end and what doesn’t!
WHAT MATTERS!
1. The Field You Choose:
This is perhaps the single most important decision you need to make during your A Levels/FSC. By the end of these two years, you should be crystal clear about what you want to pursue. The easiest way to do so is by making a list of subjects you enjoy and your hobbies/interests. Nowadays there are so many diverse fields for you to choose from that the chances of you finding out something you want to do instead of what your parents and relatives want you to do are incredibly high.
I personally know a guy who appeared for both MCAT and E-CAT examinations because he was unsure of what to do. He wanted to pursue engineering because he thought there was good money in it and medical because it was his parents wish. BOTH REASONS ARE SHIT. Pursue the field you have a genuine interest in, if you’re good enough, a job offer will be waiting for you on the other side. Do some research instead of listening to your 60-year uncle going “XYZ field ka scope nhi hai”. The world has moved on, there exist fields that they won’t even know about (no offense to anyone’s uncles).
2. Your Attitude and Work Ethic:
I know you’ve probably heard this a million times before but these do matter. Besides, if you’ve understood and followed point number one accurately this shouldn’t be hard for you. You might be a distinction holder in your A Levels/FSC examination but university academics are a different ball game.
Once you’re in, your previous grades don’t matter. The slate is wiped clean. You need to one up the competition again. Not once, not twice, every single time in the upcoming years. The best job/internship opportunities are available to the top 10% of every field in every institute. You need to be in that ten percent!
3. The Value You Add To Yourself:
Gone are the days being a rattu tota (slang for someone who’s good at rote memorization) would get you the best job. Don’t confuse yourself, kids, GPA’s are important like mentioned above but you need to separate yourself even amongst that top ten percent of students. Learning new skills, working on technical projects and teaching yourself modern software’s will give you a competitive edge.
Learn how to debate, speak in front of an audience, write for a publication (content writing), lead a team, design posters, deal with negative people / toxic work environments etc. All this will help you in the professional world. Believe me, HR guys scan you from head to toe even before you extend your hand towards them. The confidence you build from these activities and all that you learn from them does make a huge difference in those encounters.
4. The Way You Treat People & Manage Your Social Circle Matter:
This is a biggie! Learn to give respect to everyone you meet; teachers, seniors, juniors and corporate officials alike. Because you don’t know who will be sitting on the chair in front of you in your big corporate interview a few years later! There have been multiple cases of GIKI alumni showing up at recruitment drives and people losing their calm after seeing their faces because of the way they treated them a few years ago.
Keep your work ethic on point, even in student societies and odd jobs. Groom yourself, be presentable at all the time. Start using LinkedIn, connect with your alumni (from school, college, and university) who’ve made it big. Most often than not, they’ll be willing to help you out and their advice is next to gold. Value it! Manage your social circle so that you have sincere people who have your back.
I personally made a mess of my studies by participating in too many activities but I had friends who helped me throughout entire semester (i.e.quizzes, assignments, group projects etc.) and helped me keep my GPA above 3. I owe them big time! So don’t make fake friends who’ll leave you when the going gets tough. Spend your “party” time wisely with people who’ll make sure you have a ball in the real world as well.
WHAT DOESN’T MATTER!
1. What Most People Say:
In your first year of university, you’ll come across many people who’ll give you shit advice pretending to be your savior. If someone says the following bash his/her skull in for me please, “GPA’s don’t matter but relationships do”. Keep your priorities straight. Think about your every move. It’s time you stop letting your parents’ pamper you. Grow up and make your decisions yourself. Lend an ear to everyone’s advice but don’t let anyone make your decisions for you. Remember, you’ll be the one facing the consequences down the road.
2. Your Past:
Let’s be honest, everyone has one and most people are too afraid to let go of it and start afresh that university provides you the best opportunity to do so. Even if you’re proud of what you’ve done & accomplished before, the slate is wiped clean. Participate in stuff you didn’t before, conduct yourself in the manner you wish you did. Now, I’m not telling you to be pretentious but to use this opportunity to work on yourself. Regret things from your school/college life? GOOD! Make sure you don’t regret them after the next four.
3. The Cool Guy/Gal Image:
Don’t change yourself for the approval of others. Everyone has his or her own personality/charm and turning into someone you aren’t won’t help your cause. There will be people who will appreciate you for who you are and those who won’t. Though this does not mean you don’t change yourself for the better. Learn to live and be comfortable in your own skin. Don’t start smoking, drinking or drugs because it’s fashionable and everyone is doing it. It’s not all fun and games as many will lead you to believe. I’ve witnessed people very close to me ending up dead as a result of indulging in such activities.
4. Your Admission Into A Big Fancy University:
Okay, before you close this tab, hear me out. I will admit graduating from a nice university is a great thing but getting into one will not guarantee your life from that point onwards to turn into a bed of roses. You’ll be surprised to see how little it can matter at times. There are people graduating from the best institutes of Pakistan who after 4 years have nothing but a degree in their hands. Their CGPA barely above 2.0 and zero job offers. Believe me, any degree from any institute won’t pay off unless you make it pay. If university life was a book, admission would be the prologue, it wouldn’t even be a chapter in my opinion.
To conclude, the university can be the best time of your life if you spend it wisely. I’ve tried to share everything that should help freshmen. Mostly learned from my personal experiences. I wish you good fortune in the wars to come and pray you emerge victoriously.
P.S. To all those ending up in GIKI, know that this blogger does give a shit about his juniors and will sincerely try to help you out to the best of his abilities. Why? Because his seniors did the same for him. See you in a few days time! Until then, enjoy the few days you have left!
