Choosing a college after 12th grade felt overwhelming. I was surrounded by opinions -- some people swore by traditional colleges, others warned me about NIAT being fake. But somewhere deep down, I had a different feeling. What drew me to NIAT Sanjay Ghodawat University wasn't just its name. It was the fact that it looked beyond exam marks and actually cared about skills, creativity, and real-world potential. That decision turned out to be one of the best I ever made.
Most colleges judge you entirely on your JEE or CET score. But NIAT was different. I realized pretty quickly that one exam paper can't tell you who someone really is. There are countless talented people -- designers, leaders, innovators, communicators -- who wouldn't necessarily ace a traditional test. NIAT's focus on practical learning and hands-on experience instead of pure theory felt like exactly what I needed. I was tired of memorizing concepts just to forget them after the exam.
The Nerves Hit Hard on Day One
My first day in class, I was genuinely terrified. Questions kept running through my head: "Will I be able to talk to anyone?" "Will I fit in?" That feeling is something almost every first-year student goes through -- excitement mixed with deep uncertainty. But I noticed something quickly that surprised me: most of my classmates were from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Being from Maharashtra, my immediate worry was whether language would become a barrier to making friends.
It didn't.
The Last Bench Moment That Changed Everything
On the fourth day of college, I decided to do something small but important. I walked over to a group of Telugu boys sitting on the last bench, sat down beside them, and started a conversation. They were extremely friendly and welcoming. Even though we spoke different languages at home, communication was never actually a problem. Sometimes we spoke broken Hindi. Sometimes English. Sometimes we just used gestures or laughed our way through misunderstandings.
My friend circle started growing naturally after that. Today, my closest friends come from Marathi, Kannada, and Telugu backgrounds. That diversity is what makes our friendship actually special. The best part? I never encountered anyone here with unnecessary ego or attitude. Everyone is genuine, supportive, and fun to be around. Even now, the first four friends I made in college treat me the exact same way they did on day one. They always support me, care for me, and give me priority. Honestly, they treat me like a princess, and that friendship is something I truly value.
College friendships are different from any other kind. They start as classmates but slowly become your second family away from home.
Learning Each Other's Languages
One of the funniest parts of being close with my friends is how we ended up teaching each other our native languages. Because of them, I started learning Telugu seriously. In return, I taught them Marathi. Our conversations became this crazy mix of Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, and English -- sometimes even we don't realize which language we're speaking. But somehow we always understand each other perfectly. It stopped being about the actual words and became about the connection we had built.
Becoming NSGC President
A few months into college, something unexpected happened. Because of the support and votes from my friends, combined with my interest in leadership, I got the opportunity to become President of NSGC. It was a proud moment, but also a huge responsibility. Leading students, organizing events, and representing everyone is definitely not easy.
But here's the thing -- I was never alone in that journey. My friends, club members, mentors, and faculty supported me at every step. Their constant motivation gave me the confidence to handle real responsibilities, organize meaningful events, and grow as a leader. That support system made all the difference.
Faculty That Actually Cares
I have to talk about the faculty at NIAT because they're genuinely one of the best parts of this institution. Our success coaches are not just teachers -- they're actual mentors. Whenever students face academic stress, confusion about opportunities, or personal challenges, they're always ready to help. They don't just teach curriculum; they invest in students as people.