Welcome to LUMS, kids!
Don’t feel offended, ‘kids’ is probably the nicest way in which you’ll be referred to by other batches. Yes, that’s right, freshies. However, the overall package of being a freshie isn’t bad. It is an irreplaceable experience, and you’ll definitely miss it once it’s over. While LUMS was a dream for some, it was a back-up for others who couldn’t make it to their dream university abroad because of those hefty fee vouchers, or because they missed their conditional offer by an A*. Whichever the case, lo and behold, you are now the LUMS batch of 2022/23, or so I hope, and so it’s time for you to buckle up for four or five years of lots of emotions, opportunities, experiences, and memories.
First things first, you need to understand that things will be quite different. This is a new chapter, and a new beginning, and you’ll start from scratch. It’s excellent that you scored 10 A*s in O levels, but now you’ll prove your worth through what you’ll do here. From relationships to grading, everything’ll be different. You’re no longer in school or college, and you’ve got to be responsible and smart; more so if you’re a hostellite since there will be no one to constantly scold you about your sleeping routine, eating habits, and work ethics. With other things like societies, socialization and shopping happening along, you will be able to achieve only a small fraction of what you plan. Therefore, find lots of jugaad (life hacks) and work smarter, not harder.
Before classes start, you’ll have an orientation week, and although it is quite possible that you end up having your first major LUMS breakdown in one of those days (been there, done that), you can enjoy it a lot just as well. Since the pressure of socializing and making friends will be enormous, it’ll be great if you like your o-week group and your schedules match. However, if that doesn’t happen, and you still want a huge group of friends to throw you those surprise birthday parties later, you’ll have to put in some effort in finding friends. As crazy and daunting as walking up to strangers and exchanging numbers after asking their name and city will be, it’s still the easiest in the first few weeks of freshman year, because everyone’s new, and mostly comfortable with approaching and getting approached by new people. But don’t fret over it a lot, because you can always click with people later during group presentations, society events, or spring trips.
One thing that almost everyone will agree about freshman year, or probably all the years, is how quickly it flies. An hour of relaxing after classes, and it’ll be 9 pm. A luddo match after dinner and you’ll be sitting at the khoka till 3 am. Good sleep is very important, and if you’re like me, who doesn’t mind sleeping before, during, and after every class, and for up to 19 hours on weekends, you’ll need to do a few calculations about how much you can laze around and waste time. Don’t let things pile up. A good routine will be the determinant of your academic and social life. Before you realize it, your attendance will ruin your grade, so install Alarmy on your phones, get out of bed and go to class. Try to get familiar with the maze like Academic Block as early as possible, and learn the shortcuts through Central Courtyard, because the 5 minute policy means 5 minutess, especially when you need attendance the most. Once you’ve made yourself physically present, you don’t want to be sitting in your 8 am Islamic Studies class absent minded and yawning, with your stomach growling, which brings me to my next point, i.e food and health.
With classes from morning till evening, and only a few small breaks in between, it is rare that you will be having proper lunch like you used to back in your school days. While day scholars will only be missing out on homemade lunch, hostellites will soon feel alienated to the entire concept of eating proper and healthy. Zakir Tikka is very generous with oil, and PDC is typically miserly with salt and spice, and so you won’t have a lot of options on campus. Whenever you have time, cook yourself out some dorm-friendly recipes, but don’t get over-excited about BuzzFeed’s ‘23 Dorm Meals That You Can Make in a Microwave’ because regular exposure to microwave radiation in large quantities can be harmful. Don’t miss out on breakfast, as it is the most important meal of the day. If you don’t like it heavy and want to stay in your room, make yourself a quick sandwich or a fruit bowl, and protein shake. Along with keeping a check on what you eat, take out time for physical activity as well. Go swimming, or visit the gym, and if you’re afraid you might sleep instead, join SLUMS because it’ll be controlled motivation. By taking care of these things, you’ll feel fresher, and more productive.
Be it friendships, courses, societies or hangouts, throughout your life at LUMS, you’ll have to take a lot of decisions, and so the key is to go with what you are happy with. Be honest and kind, both to yourself and others. Don’t limit yourself to a good GPA or the DHL, and explore as much as you can. Aim big and broaden your horizons. Try out new things, and live every moment to the fullest. Make the most of your time at LUMS. Visit your favorite instructors during their office hours, attend as many talks and seminars as you can, sign up for extracurricular activities, utilize your access to the library; both physical and virtual; go on weekend trips, and enjoy your freedom and independence till it lasts. But don’t feel pressurized into doing what you do. If you don’t like it, stop doing it. Don’t mainstream yourself. Give yourself alone time. Don’t compare yourself to others, unless it inspires you towards a positive direction. Set your priorities and maintain the balance, but don’t be hard on yourself. Learn to appreciate, love, challenge and forgive yourself, and you’ll be great.
Article By: Maryam Ahmad Kiyani