Fear.
Sometimes it’s a very helpful thing that keeps us from harm.
But many a times, it’s an inner voice and barrier that prevents us from moving forward, that keeps us from going behind what we want and becoming who we honestly deep down want to be.
Learning to handle fear and overcome it – even if it’s just for 10 or 30 seconds, just so you can take an important action – is critical to living your life fully.
My decision of not wanting to join NITK was fear driven , I was timid when I entered the campus…rushing on the last day of verification as I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be an engineer let alone mechanical engineer.
I remember feeling a lump forming in my throat during my classes in first semester, homesickness. The sounds of the honking buses on the highway making me yearn for my journey back home that weekend. My constant homeward travel continued regularly for one year.
After entering the department, I realised I could do things I thought were hard for me, things I never imagined would be physically possible for me, be it machine drawing or workshop. Me being what I am was never a hurdle for what I wanted to achieve . If not as good as others in a college filled with bright students, I constantly did better every day. I feel that me wanting to become a mechanical engineer helped me believe in myself more. People are often shocked when I tell them that I am a graduate in Mechanical Engineering and that’s the moment I feel proud about myself.
Things went smoothly after that. I sang during music nights and spicmacay aradhana concerts, went on trips – not many but a few memorable ones.
Then came the placement season, which was quite an experience. I cried to sleep and vexed my family and friends just because I couldn’t clear a few tests. They were more relieved and happy about me getting placed than myself.
Those were great times and happy moments. I lived my life to the fullest in NITK and I’m glad I didn’t let my fears take control of my decision.
Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that will help you grow.
From going home every weekend to not wanting to go home, NITK became my second home.
Curated by Neha Saji Jacob
