As I walk, sleepiness and trepidation my in heart moved my tired feet along the concrete, I knew I was far away from home, in a foreign land alone. Well, there were people around me but, not the kind of people that would keep me safe and take care of my needs. I crossed the road,and entered along the bend of the path winding down of what almost seemed like a forest. We were ten people, all of us almost strangers but strangely in this foreign land, we seem to rely on each other.

What was supposed to be a small stroll to the beach seemed longer as we walked. Our curious eyes seem to take in everything we saw from pigs to hens, and to street dogs. Looking back, all this seems ordinary but when you are an ocean away from home, the ordinary seems extraordinary. The decapitated homes that were almost like huts seemed to have a poetic meaning, perhaps that’s why travellers are poets and poets are travellers.

The person ahead of the group said ‘The beach is just a few steps away.’ It was as if our sleepiness vanished and our steps hurried towards the pebbled path onto the shore. When a person imagines a beach, it is usually sunny, yellow sand, clear sky, blue water with sun reflecting on the surface. Well, to say the least this beach did not meet the stereotypical image of a beach. There wasn’t soft sand but almost textured stones and debris that sank in from the ocean to the shore. The water wasn’t crystal blue rather it was murky, it wasn’t dirty but the sand and the stones were merging with the waves as they crashed continually to the shore. We waited for the sunrise while some brave souls decided to take a dip in the cold water. I also decided that I haven’t come all the way from home to sit on the side, I didn’t know how to swim so I entered the water just deep enough for it to brush past my knees as the waves kept coming. The sunrise seemed to be on the horizon. The sky was changing colours, but the sun wasn’t peeking out. After a while, I felt a few drops of rain on my arms and then on my head. A few more minutes and it was clear that it was going to rain.

We all rushed back to the beach cleaned our feet, put on the sandals and rushed back to the hostel. As the rain got heavier, our steps slowed down, and we all knew that we were getting soaked. At this point, we decided that we should enjoy the rain as it was. After the twenty-minute walk back to the hostel, we reached our rooms with soaked hair and cold feet. The people who stayed back in the hostel to get some sleep asked, ‘How was the sunrise?’ We replied after a thought, ‘‘we couldn’t see it’’. We were on the wrong side of the coast; we were not facing the east, rather we were on the extreme west coast of Philippines in the small municipal of Tuburan. Maybe it was the rain. People who stayed back seemed to have received validation that their decision of sleeping in was right. We almost seem like fools who woke up at 5 and walked to the beach just to get soaked in the rain and to watch the sun rise on the westernmost coast of Philippines. But this memory of my first international trip without my family stands out. It was our first sunrise in Philippines, we never saw it, but we still talk about it and remember it as the day we went to watch the sunrise on the beach.

That is how the rest of the trip was, and that trip was the reason I changed my outlook on life. I went to that trip with different expectations, I dreamt about the sunrise but what I got was a long walk, a shower in the rain and murky water. I sometimes wonder if we ended up seeing the sunrise, would we still have a story to tell. A story that ends with ten adults were facing the west to watch the sunrise from the east. Those fourteen days in Philippines were in itself an adventure. From jumping in a 40 feet deep water hole with a vest but no knowledge of swimming and simply relying on the people below to save me in case I break my neck to planting mangroves in a forest trying to outrun crabs, snails, and many more sea creatures that should stay in the sea.

That trip was almost like life, nothing went according to plan, we missed sunsets, we missed a ferry, and we almost missed our bus but somehow through all the chaos, we made memories with strangers that weren’t strangers anymore. This trip taught me to adapt, to accept cultural practices, it taught me how Philippines and India, countries divided by oceans and land might be more similar than we think. This trip was similar to how when I first entered college, how I adapted to change, when far away from home, with stranger who aren’t strangers anymore, I adapted to the culture, the people, the sunsets. I made mistakes, missed classes, turned assignments late, got sick, did bad in exams. But this trip to the beach to watch the sunrise was a moment of epiphany, I learnt to enjoy my mistakes and perhaps consider that they weren’t mistakes. The trip taught me that best plan always has room for change, just like life has space for happiness as well as sadness.

College, I believe is also the sky before dawn as we chase the dawn of our dreams, we should take a deep breath and enjoy the blue sky before the dawn and the navy sky before the storm.

It is difficult to not feel exhausted in college as you attempt to balance between the expectations of your thousands and thousands of commitment. Al of these exhaustion inducing activities ultimately leave me feeling like I will have to stay behind on tasks to better recover mentally, if not physically. What I require here is not support but strength to continue to push through, some sort of drive to help me actually complete my tasks and not feel guilty for lacking the energy. The love that I have for caffeine, stems from this undeniably industrious contribution that significantly improves my productivity, always. In my opinion, love understood as this visceral experience that defines a lot of your personhood. However, it can also be something small and limited. The love that I have for caffeine is not the type of love I would have for family or friends, it’s almost different from that. This love is more about dependence; it is not for the sake of definitional adherence that I am going try to connect the love I can give to an inanimate and a regular substance, that seems inconsequential on its own. Due to this absurd proposition of caffeine being an object of love, I may be sounding ridiculous; but to reiterate, love can be as shallow as it can be
deep. If I get to achieve a desired outcome by loving something non-living, can the thought of not having my love reciprocated continue or bother me? Not really. However, this does make you think about how much of love is also the fancy expectation of having your admiration be reciprocated and actually lead to something (usually) positive. Al of this relatively inconsequential written character may seem to be just another piece written by a blogger but if you have made it so far, please ask yourself: what is love for you? Do you think we can only love people? Our own questions about what kinds of love we may have found or are ni the process of finding can, as I believe, truly reflect the essence of our existence. As long as it’s love, ti defines you. Your love may be as absurd as you let ti get but the idea of you having the ability to love the absurdity of your own emotions is a powerful virtue on its own.

In the lazy noon lull, the glaring sun accompanied by a slight breeze, I entered my classroom, with a belly full of food, feeling lethargic yet content to learn. I opened my notes and my laptop, ready to think, ask and question for the next two hours in my most awaited class of the week. It began with vigour, as the professor started the discussion, but somewhere in the middle, my eyes started to glance continuously towards the clock as I felt restless within the first half hour. The session was going great, and even the discussion was making sense. But my eyes travelled like a pendulum from the white board in the front, to the clock in the back, every five minutes. My hands started doodling flowers on my notebook, waiting for a break. As we reached the one-hour mark, the professor indicated a 10-minute break. I was the first one who rushed from my seat towards the Nescafe downstairs for a coffee. Soon, half the students in the class had joined me.

This story is not just about me, but all of us. We are often unable to pay attention to classes after a while, even though they interest us. We get distracted, tired or just basic information overload makes it impossible to continue further on. A lot of us sometimes can’t even wait for a break, and end up taking a breather outside the class. This is due to our shortening attention spans. There are several studies which have focused on finding the attention span of students, some say about 8 seconds, while others claim 20 minutes. TED talks are usually 18-minutes long since people CAN only pay attention for 18 minutes for any ‘‘serious’’ discussion.

Going through all these studies, I only felt a sense of accomplishment, listening to professors for 2 hours at a time. My thirty-minute attention span seemed quite a feat considering everything. However, my sense of achievement did nothing for me as I struggled to understand concepts after 30 minutes. I wanted to run away from class. So, I found a small technique that helped me persevere through the two-hour struggle between me and my mind. The Pomodoro Technique—study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. I started doing this in lectures, I would learn for 25 minutes and then zone out for 5. It’s not important to keep it as 25 minutes, you can adjust the timings and breaks according to your individual learning style. Active learning works wonders too—ask questions, take notes, or explain concepts to a friend. Finally, stay hydrated, sleep well, and don’t forget to move! Short walks or stretches during breaks can reset your focus, keeping you sharp and engaged.

The long lectures don’t help our attention spans, whereas we can!

By: Aaryake Pandey

Being a student is like walking on a tightrope between deadlines and downtime, fun and focus, growth, and existential dread…

College life can be chaotic (it’s all for the plot), but the memories last a lifetime. Even while assignments are piling up and group projects are testing your patience, those late-night walks, random adventures, and coffee runs in between classes to Nescafe with your friends make it all worthwhile.

Concepts like stress management, emotional regulation, and mindfulness, can help students navigate ups and downs. We as humans need connection, autonomy, and motivation to get things done. The first week of classes feels like this semester is going to be ‘your semester’ “Going to finish the portion, 2 months in advance” are famous words said by almost every student, but then week two hits and Netflix suddenly becomes irresistible.

Learning how to balance these motivators especially when intrinsic motivation fades, can help keep your inner student from spiralling into “just 5 more minutes” of procrastination: the struggle is real.

But how does one learn how to balance?

Well, this requires developing self-awareness, the act of finding and establishing a sense of purpose that fuels one’s long-term engagement, and there is nothing wrong in treating yourself to a nice trip to the Tapri for a cup of warm bournvitta and cheese Maggi after a submission.

Sometimes loneliness creeps up even when you are surrounded by classmates, when you feel like you don’t belong, and when others are landing internships. You are still filling out applications, and acting tests while you are still figuring out how to make it through the week.

Surviving is accepting that plans will shit and expectations may falter at times. But over time you learn that success isn’t a straight line and it looks different for everyone. Over time you discover that the student life isn’t just about surviving but finding comfort in unexpected places. It is that late-night conversation that sparks an idea to start your club, it is not about being unbreakable but about knowing you can piece yourself back.

Student life introduces you to the practice of emotional resilience—the ability to adapt and recover, find meaning, and learn how to embrace uncertainty. These small steps and victories mark your transformation, shaping not just your academic growth but also your personal identity and emotional resilience.

Surviving as a student also means how to unlearn, this means that discovering that some study methods don’t work anymore and some friends weren’t meant to stay till graduation. Important lessons like protecting your peace and getting that extra hour of sleep are just as crucial as getting good grades. 

Surviving isn’t only about testing how much you can endure but also knowing when to pause, step back, and find meaning even in the messiest moments.

Two months into the semester, the Psychology Society Initiative (PSI) has already kept the momentum going with not one, but two great events!

Beginning with ‘KOSMOS’ that took place on the 13th of August 2024, an event inspired by the movie “Inside Out 2” aimed to “give freshmen a platform to express and explore the many emotions they experience as they transition into college life” as said by Sehar Dawood, the General Secretary of the society. The purpose of the event was to foster “emotional self-awareness, growth, and a supportive community, among freshmen”

KOSMOS helped establish new connections and provided a safe space that promoted inclusivity and provided a platform to self-reflect and embrace one’s emotions by engaging in relatable activities; it was also an opportunity to get to know their seniors better.

 Some activities that took place included: “core memories pinboard”, “shred and forget”, and “design a new emotion”. The society organised various other creative outlets like music, trust falls, and more hands-on activities. Each activity was related to an emotion like joy, sadness, fear, and more.  

This event gave participants the chance to unleash their creativity, allowed them to experience their emotions and helped them learn how to positively mange them. The event helped participants build resilience, fostered a sense of belonging and cement ever-lasting connections with like-minded individuals.

Moving on to the more recent event by PSI, “Beyond Boundaries 2.0” a two-day flagship event that took place on the 13th and 15th of September 2024, that was all about celebrating the diversity of LGBTQIA+ identities and an opportunity to explore, self-discover, learn and embrace.

It was a safe space for individuals and allies to come forth, learn, and share their experiences. Sehar Dawood, summed up the purpose of the event the best, she said it was to “highlight the diversity within the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting the voices of community members and collaborating with pride-based organizations and student-run platforms, an opportunity to create a deeper understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities”

Hosting pride-based organizations and individuals, day 1 included a panel discussion on the topic “ The state of LGBTQIA+ community in Indian Universities” and part of the panel was, Ankita Agarwal, Kabir Maan, and Ayaan Krishnan Varma. The discussions focused on insights around identity and advocacy, engaging with the audience and asking them “what pride meant to them?”; Responses like, “equality”, “freedom of speech, expression and life”, “love”, and “loving freely” sparked powerful conversations and inspiration.

Day 2 included involved setting up stalls for students with small businesses, and interactive activities that were designed to celebrate individuality, raise awareness, and provide participants with a safe space to engage in activities like “palate of pride” and “rainbow pinboard” to promote diversity and artistic expression.

PSI’s efforts are not short of inspiring, setting the bar high with their thoughtful and engaging events, from celebrating individuality and providing a safe space, their focus on mental well-being and constant efforts to help everyone have a good time is admirable, they provide a space to grow, learn, and reflect. Cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next!

Edited by: Aaliya Ashwin

February is often considered the month of love, with Valentine’s day at its heart. People celebrate their love for their partners, friends, and family. This February, I also fell in love, but not with a person. I rediscovered my love for Political History through an elective I opted for. Spending the past two years primarily studying psychology had alienated me from all the other subjects I used to enjoy studying in school. So this semester I chose an elective about the political history of fascist Europe, which reawakened my interest and love for the subject.

One aspect of this course that I found very interesting was how Mussolini and Hitler’s fascist regimes successfully manipulated mass psychology to create a sense of devotion and loyalty by framing their leadership as almost divine and the state as a sacred entity. Mussolini and Hitler used powerful psychological tools like emotional manipulation, symbolism, rituals, propaganda, and the cult of personality to reshape the worldview of their citizens. Their regimes became not just political systems but quasi-religions, giving people a clear sense of identity and purpose, and offering them a psychological escape from fear and uncertainty. This created not only loyalty but belief in the state, leading people to act in ways they might not have otherwise, including violence and suppression of dissent. Fascist regimes often presented the state and its ideology as sacred, equating national success with moral and spiritual righteousness. the state was not just a political institution but something larger than life, an almost divine force, demanding total loyalty. This created a form of group identity where people felt they were part of a transcendent movement. The collective-self became indistinguishable from the state, and individuals were absorbed into this higher purpose, often feeling a sense of moral superiority for being part of it.

Fascists regimes capitalized on ritualistic practices to create unity, cohesion, and a sense of belonging. The use of mass rallies, parades, and other public displays was highly structured and designed to evoke intense feelings of awe and submission. This tapped into the psychology of crowd behaviour, where individuals, when part of a group, may feel less accountable for their actions and more likely to act according to the group’s emotions and ideologies. Propaganda further reinforced the idea that the regime was more than just a government; it was a moral and spiritual necessity. By flooding the public with idealized images of the leader, the state, and its virtues, fascism became a belief system, a worldview that offered people answers to complex problems and a sense of control in an uncertain world.

Fascist regimes manipulated history, creating a narrative where the past was seen through a glorified, often distorted, lens. This collective memory was used to cultivate a sense of national pride and destiny, creating an environment where citizens felt a deep emotional connection to the nation’s past achievements and struggles. By ritualizing the memory of past battles, conquests, and struggles, fascist states linked their current political mission to a divine historical destiny.

I really enjoyed the fact that I could connect all of this to what I have studied in psychology, like crowd behaviour, and how political leaders use complex psychological techniques to manipulate the masses. It also makes me realise that I am not bound to study only the subject I have chosen for my major. I can study other subjects I enjoy and even form relationships between the different topics which makes everything I study a lot more interesting.

What’s not to love about winter? It’s cuffing season. It’s cold outside. People are layering their clothes to stay warm, and hot beverages are welcome more than ever. Not to mention, in the unique case of Delhi and its surrounding areas, winter is one of the few times throughout the year when people can actually “enjoy” the outdoors without being suffocated by the polluted air or risking heatstroke from the scorching summer heat.  As someone who gets annoyed after being drenched in sweat within five minutes of stepping out of the comforts of air conditioning, winter is a blessing for me.

I cannot stress enough the importance of being able to experience nature. Ask anyone who takes a morning walk in the park, and they’ll tell you the great merits of experiencing the greenery or feeling the cool morning dew beneath their feet as they walk through the grass.

I’m often scoffed at for arguing that “winter is the best weather,” but lend an ear to what I’ve to say. With Delhi’s climate swinging as low as 8°C in January, reaching peaks of 45°C in May, coupled with its infamous air quality, makes it a challenge for anyone in the surrounding area to enjoy the outdoors. This is precisely why I harp on about winters so much. I argue that it provides people with the opportunity to reclaim the day and detach from the hubbub of the city life, escape the air-conditioned rooms we keep ourselves in (yes, I’m looking at you, summer lovers), and actually touch grass. Maybe layer up and step outside without breaking a sweat within minutes (again, summer lovers).

Why is spending time outdoors so important, you might ask? Well, research has shown that nature can help regulate mood, reduce stress and even help with recovery.

With growing urbanization, many of us have had our time structured and confined to what cities afford us—malls, cafés, bookshops, theatres, tall office buildings and apartment complexes, not to mention crowding in cities, which lead to overstimulation and a sense of suffocation in public spaces. We need to take a moment to detach from the chaos of the city and step outside, read a book under the dappled sunlight passing through the trees, rendezvous with a friend for a picnic, when the weather allows for it.

And while we’re at it, take a minute to step away from your phone. Our attention spans have been taken for a joyride, and now they need a breather. The use of the internet to access the world has led to a shallow processing of information, and switching attention between Instagram and assignments has left many confused as to where the assignment is really going. I’d begun to experience this brainrot myself and decided that I’d cut down on my screen time earlier this February, with Instagram and YouTube deleted off my phone.  I’ve come a long way. With winter in the air and the sun shining upon my aspirations for digital sobriety, I’ve been able to get back into reading, picking up hobbies, and truly focus on myself.

I can’t help but think that there’s something special about winter this time around. Maybe it’s seeing people leisurely enjoy the daylight, which lifts my spirits, or maybe it’s the romanticizing idea of warming up my fingers in the crisp air like it’s suddenly spring this winter.

Written by: Aaryake Pandey

While we all come back for a new semester, the month of February can come with multiple definitions; for some February may be a month of love, wrapped in roses and whispered confessions, and for others, it can be a reminder of the love lost. 

For those who fell in love, only to fall right back out, welcome…

Heartbreak can have a way of unraveling us; it forces us to confront the pieces we wove together with another person, where we started saying “we” instead of “I” which we now find scattered at our feet. Heartbreak does not only apply to romantic relationships but also to friends we planned our graduation with.

While your brain might be going through a chemical upheaval, it isn’t always going to lead to a destructive end. You can see it from a different lens— it can be a process of shedding your past self and constructing a new one.

Losing someone isn’t about deleting the memories or suppressing your emotions but rather about shifting your perspective from “I lost them” or “they left me” to “I am rediscovering myself.” This can also be classified as a mindfulness technique known as cognitive reframing; a technique that consist of identifying and changing your views on the situation, experience or event. It is normal to leave people behind as we move on in life, but, of course, the pain can be unbearable at times, but it also provides us with the opportunity to just be.

Romanticize solitude; don’t confuse it with loneliness, it is an active choice to be with oneself. Carl Jung, a psychologist, saw individuation as a process of self-realization, a process of becoming one’s true self, and an opportunity for personal growth rather than a state of deprivation.

We often rush into distraction instead of sitting with ourselves, and college often makes the first option easier and more tempting- going to parties, or overloading on extracurriculars and academics. But learning to be alone is where the true healing begins, so this February fall in love with loving yourself.

Detach but don’t disconnect. Social withdrawal can be normal but complete isolation can make things worse, so instead of ‘ghosting’ everyone, spend some time with your friends, watch a movie, reconnect with nature, go on that walk alone, listen to music, or even study in a library instead of your room. Reclaim your interests, revisit your old hobbies, or even pick new ones, be unhinged (as long as it is within the JGU policy) that you were hesitant to do because your former partner didn’t like it. Psychology and research say that trying new things can rewire your brain and boost dopamine (aka the feel-good hormone) so take advantage of neuroplasticity cause your brain loves challenges, and who knows, you might love it too.

Some days, you will slip. You’ll hear their name and your stomach might drop. You might see someone that reminds you of the past. But slowly without even realizing it, you will laugh at something stupid. You will feel a spark of joy that isn’t attached to them and you will find comfort in your own company.

Written by Aashmika Leekha & Edited by Divyanshi Srivastava

Pyaar kya hai?

Pyaar dosti hai!

Shah Rukh Khan said it best, “Love is Friendship.” The more I think about it, the more I see it in the people around me. Love isn’t just about grand gestures or once-in-a-lifetime moments; it’s woven into the simplest things, the little details, the ways we care for each other, the unspoken gestures, the quiet reassurances. When I think about love, I think about my friends, the people I call my own.

I feel the love in the way they send a “Text me when you get home,” even when we part ways in the afternoon. It’s in the shared hair ties, the borrowed lip gloss, the “Do you want a bite?” before taking one themselves. It’s in the way they squeeze my hand under the table when they know I’m anxious, or the way they tilt their head when I’m ranting, listening as if every word matters.

Love is in the playlists made just because “these songs reminded me of you”. It’s in the way they know exactly how I take my coffee, what shade of pink makes me feel pretty, and which childhood stories I can never get through without tearing up. It’s in the way we fix each other’s eyeliner in bathroom mirrors; in the way we say “I love you” without actually saying it.  It’s in everyday moments, the shared glances, the inside jokes, the comfortable silences.

I see it in the way my friends talk, in how their voices change with their moods. The excited rambling when they can’t contain their joy, the pauses when they search for the right words, and the stutter when they’re nervous. Every tone, every inflection, every unspoken word tells a story, and I love listening to it all. It’s in the way they sigh dramatically when life feels too much. I feel it with the loud ones who fill a room with their presence, and the quiet ones who say a thousand things without speaking.

I see it in their smiles – bright, radiant, sometimes subtle, sometimes wide enough to light up a whole room. The ones that come with laughter, the ones that sneak up in the middle of a conversation, the ones they try to hide but can’t quite manage to, the tired smiles that say, “I’ve had a long day, but I’m here with you, and that makes it better.” Their carefree giggles, the full-bodied cackles, the snorts they try to suppress – it all spreads like wildfire, pulling me into a happiness I didn’t even realize I needed. It’s in the way they throw their heads back, in the way their shoulders shake, in the way they clutch their stomachs when they just can’t stop. If love had a sound, maybe it would be this.

But love isn’t just in the joy, it’s in the heavy moments too. It’s in their silence, in their sighs, in the way they reach out, not always with words, but with their presence. It’s in the way they sit beside me on a bad day, offering nothing but quiet understanding. It’s in the way they check in, sending a “Did you eat?” or a “Take care” message. Love is in the loud declarations, yes, but also in these soft, everyday acts of care.

The loud friends, the quiet ones, the ones who express themselves through words, and the ones who simply show up—all love in their ways. Because love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a presence, a comfort, a knowing. It’s the simple truth that no matter how hard life gets, no matter how much we change, we are always there for each other.

Love is in the little things, and I feel it in all the people I call my own.