Campus life is not a bed of roses and laughter

Campus life is not a bed of roses and laughter(Nirupama Akella) It's that time of the academic year again -- the beginning of the fall semester when new faces appear and grace the sidewalks of campus. They arrive in droves -- sometimes with parents in tow who seem more excited than their children to be stepping into the portals of higher education. Sometimes a solitary lone fresh face pops up and is immediately swallowed into the churning educational mill of Kent State. These faces seem so eager, excited with hearts full of hopes and dreams -- ready to overcome and conquer all academic challenges and enjoy the pleasures of campus. They are all set to prove the adage true -- "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!"

Down to earth people! Reign in your enthusiasm and energy for later, and I assure you, you will need it. As an international graduate student, I arrived two years back thrilled to be here. But my thrills soon changed to chills when I encountered a myriad of problems.

OK, so you are happy to be here. Hey you have a right to be happy. But it won't last. Happiness will be like the fleeting seconds of time that you want to grab and hold on to. You soon will realize many things, dear international student. Campus life is not a bed of roses and laughter, but a carpet of thorns interspersed with tears, fears, sweat and hard work. And did I mention humiliations and embarrassment? Yes, it's all a big bright package. And you have to open it to survive, much like Pandora's Box. You will soon realize you are a fighter cock, you cannot get along with people and you dislike cooking. You want your mommy! But patience -- your academic journey is just starting. If settling in was a tremendous chore, then the first semester is mind-boggling. The U.S. system of education is confusing and drives one to tear his hair in frustration. There is a system of credits. You must choose the course with the right amount of credits. "You have to choose your courses?" you ask in surprise.
Hey, the only academic decision I had made before coming to Kent State was choosing my major under duress. But here, it was double the tension. You have to choose your major and the subjects. Then the issue of type of courses pops up like an irritating nagging loose thread.

Once you have adjusted to this new system, you are faced with a new vocal problem. You have to talk in class! My first semester here, I followed my policy of silence in lectures. But it didn't help at all. Who said "speech is silver and silence is golden?" If that had been true, I would have been a billionaire by now. In Kent State classes, speech is very important. So loosen your tongues and talk, international students. I assure you the results will be gratifying.

I forgot to mention the orientation rite for the international students. It is truly an experience. University officials talk and scare you to death and you listen with beads of sweat adorning your brows. Lots of information packets are handed out, and you feel the waves of tension rising to a peak. But you are told not to be nervous. And you think -- 'I am not nervous. I am just overwhelmed and well, maybe a bit nervous.'
Schedule books and catalogs are thrown in, and you will start feeling delirious. Then, the office bearers of the various international student organizations take the stand and remind you of the fun and frolic you can have. By that time you are thinking -- 'what am I supposed to do? -- have fun and play games, maybe go and throw a few balls at the recreational center, but I also have to study and do well. I have to eat also -- hey, what about work? Have I forgotten something?' Yes international student -- sleep!

And by the time orientation ends, and all of you are shooed out of the hall, only the officials are smiling. You are not. Your shoulders are drooping, and there is a nervous quaver in your voice. You are trying to smile and swagger, but in vain.

Don't worry international students; the worst is yet to come!