“Some years teach you by rushing past. Some years teach you by making you wait.”
2025 felt like a year of waiting. I kept waiting and waiting, without really knowing what for or how long. At the start of the year, everything felt normal: New Year wishes, the usual excitement, and the 7th semester exams almost done. Naturally, my thoughts shifted to the 8th semester, what else do you do at that point? I felt excited, but also strangely nostalgic, knowing that BTech had not ended yet, but it was getting close.
As the year went on, there were moments when it felt static, like nothing was really happening. I was waiting for clarity, for answers, for something to finally make sense. But slowly, I realized that even in the waiting, life was quietly teaching me lessons. These phases, moments, and small realizations shaped my final year of college and left me with reflections I know I will carry forward.
After completing my internship, a recurring thought stayed with me, BTech was coming to an end. Soon, I would not just be a student anymore; I would be a graduate, with real responsibilities waiting ahead. That realization actually hit me back in the 6th semester, especially because my internship was offline and I was not going to college regularly for almost 3 to 4 months.
“Cherish moments while you are living them, some phases only feel precious once they are gone.”
The 8th semester began on a regular Monday. Classes resumed, but the environment felt different. The class strength was much lower than previous semesters, as many students were away doing internships. Barely three or four of us, including me, attended classes regularly. Surprisingly, it was calm, peaceful, and enjoyable in its own way.
“Learn to be content with what you have, even when it does not look like what you planned.”
One major challenge came during our cloud computing lab. We needed platforms like AWS or Azure, which required a credit card. I did not have one, so I spent weeks searching for free alternatives. For a while, nothing worked, and I almost gave up. But eventually, after more digging, I discovered LocalStack, a simple yet effective solution.
“Be like a river, keep flowing, keep searching. Staying still is what makes you feel stuck.”
After semesters of constant exams, suddenly having a two month gap felt overwhelming. With nothing urgent to prepare for, boredom set in. Instead of letting it consume me, I shifted my focus to building projects. I explored new ideas, sharpened my skills, and created things I am genuinely proud of.
“Free time is a gift, use it to grow, explore, and become better than yesterday.”
The last day at college arrived quietly. We clicked pictures, signed shirts, and shared laughs. It was a strange mix of happiness and nostalgia. Looking back, college turned out far better than I ever expected when I started in 2021, great friends, supportive teachers, meaningful learning, and memories I will always cherish.
“Little moments become life’s greatest treasures, never stop making time for the people who matter.”
After college ended, I finally made space for hobbies, art, craft, and small creative experiments. I am not an artist in the traditional sense, but creating without pressure felt healing. It reminded me that not everything needs to be productive or perfect.
“Do things for joy, not outcomes. Sometimes, happiness itself is the achievement.”
This is what defined this year for me, this semester, my college life, and everything that came with it. Every phase taught me something new, whether it was patience, gratitude, or simply learning to enjoy the moment as it comes. I am looking forward to many more such moments, meaningful people, new experiences, skills, and learning opportunities in my life ahead.