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Slaughter at the career fair.....

I walked in the the illini union with a grin streching across my face. I reached the check-in desk. Took the green sharpie and started to fill my name tag. I wrote my name in huge bold letters, bold enough to be seen from a distant planet, " AMAN KAPUR". Then I moved further down the tag and wrote my major, "General Engineering". So far so good. My grin still holding its pride and honor. And then came the dreaded and the fearful 'year of graduation'. I, for reasons that surpass my understanding, put "2013"; a freshman at the EXPO Career Fair.

The student volunteer behind the counter asked me in surprise, "You're a freshmen? You must have a lot of courage coming here." My grin went from being concave up to concave down. I replied in a unsure tone, "I guess so" , and moved along. Upon entering the hall, another volunteer, who, I guess, saw my tag, said "Aw, you're a freshmen, best of luck!". It seemed as if I was a chicken entering my own slaughter house.

I lifted my legs, my body, and my bravery (or bravado), and marched into the hall. The sight before could be best called as a peculiar example of 'Social Darwinism', survival of the fittest. 'Fittest' may not just be in age, technical skills, and formality, but moreso in the art of marketing oneself at expense of pushing others underwater. A troop of monkeys fighting over their food, their water, and their existence in the future.

For any first-timer, stepping into this battlefield can be intimidating, expecially when it's biased towards certain local 'warriors' than others who hail from distant lands; but I knew I had to try. I had already done my research and found what I wanted to fight for. I reached booth of the firm. I handed in my resume and started marketing my self. I said, "I'm Aman Kapur, a General Engineering Major. I'm a freshmen." And that was it. I soon as I said the words freshman, I saw this disappointing look in his eyes, and a bit of disinterest arose within him. I still carried on praising myself with the hope that I could change his opinion about freshmen. After about an exchange of words for 15-20 mins, we parted ways and I went on to another source.

I got out of there barely breathing and barely having any energy left in me. I crawled my way back to my dorm and rested, for I though tI had done a decent job of surviving in the war.
All in all, it was a learning experience. BE PREPARED, STAY STRONG, and SHOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE.

For those who let other people affect themselves more than they should.

For what?

It pinches, deep inside

pricks without permission

as her eyes gleam with determination

while I sit and stare.

Why can’t I be that?

Aren’t we both from the same tree?

I don’t want to be that,

for there is an ‘otherwise’.

I now feel on a pedestal, I aim for the heavens.

But, she still aims for earthly pleasures.

I, now, surpass him.

Why can’t she come up now?

For what is she fighting?

I feel safe and fair;

for what I fight is real.

But it still pinches;

It still pricks.

Is it actually real?

~ Aman Kapur

What is education about?

For too many years, people have thought education to be a means to an end. A process through which you acquire a skills set ready to take on the real world. A method wherein you learn what you need, to build a self-sustaining human being, merely in financial terms.
After being acquainted with some aspects of education management, I don't find much value in such high-held notions. Education is a about kindling life into someone. It is the essence through which we grow and evolve. It is transformation of a a boy/girl to a man/lady.

When in college, high school, or any other 'educational institute', one must develop a questioning mind and a thirst for knowledge. Books, readings, assignments, research papers, can get you only so far. For the real learning it is your mind and your drive that will take you another level in education. It is not just about getting straight As and a 4.0 GPA. It is about living a 'Complete life'. For many who think that staying all year a study room in a library and attaining the best possible honors is worthy of life, I employ you to see the difference between that boy and the man who developed not only in terms of knowledge but also a human being.

Bottom Line: Study hard, go out with friends on week-ends, join clubs and social activities, meet new people, LIVE THE COMPLETE LIFE.