A Paradigm Shift

BY ZUBIA NOOR

Third-year (Previous) and Honors Program: both courses are like two different rivers which flow together but never meet. Same is the case with the students of Honors and Previous who study together in the same class but find it difficult to connect with each other. A reason could be that the students of Honors already adapt themselves to the university life whereas the students of Previous have to face a very different and a new environment.

For a student, who has just joined a two-year old lot, it takes approximately half a year to settle down. There are several situations this student has to confront like coping with the syllabus and getting accustomed to the daily attendance routine (since at colleges there is no such thing called regularity). Making friends is a major issue. Somehow, the Honors students also take advantage of their ‘slight’ seniority too.

Moreover, the Honors students are familiar with their courses, examinations, classes, assignments etc and develop a good know how with their teachers. We all know that acquaintance with teachers is very important , it not only affects our grades but also helps in several other matters such as getting letters of reference if a student applies for a scholarship etc. Unfortunately, some of these ‘new admissions’ find it difficult to understand the nature of their teachers, therefore face issues.

It would be sufficient to say that the Third Year (previous) students experience a paradigm shift. The university life brings a lot of challenges for them be it social or academic. The key to deal with this paradigm shift is to be proactive and determined. It’s a ‘survival of the fittest’ situation for all the new entries especially for the ones who compete with the ‘all-ready’ Honors students. Beware!