Things would look different to different people depending on the colour of goggle they would use to look at their three years. There are different types of people who come to JNU MCA viz. Those who see JNU as an opportunity to explore themselves and gain knowledge around things, those who see JNU only as a platform to get a job ( so thus complete three years anyhow, get a job and chill off, but that never happens dude !!) , those who are good in maths but not in computers and vice versa, those who are good in communication skills, those who want to start their own venture …… It would be difficult to comprehend all views but we would try to put in something which you can take cue from and help yourself. We would try to cover major events semester-wise
First Semester ‘The semester of consolidation’ :-
During first 5 months everybody tries to understand JNU culture, understand their strong points and make up for week points. The course structure would be a mix of topics from Matematics and Computer scince thus Comp science (but non-maths) people try to come up to speed in Maths topics and Maths people do the same for computer science. If you are not from Delhi, then you would be allotted hostel as per your rank in entrance examination (and your proximity as well. NCRites say thanks to Dean of Students ). It so might happen that you get hostel after 3-4 months, even in the nest semester !! However, there are alternative arrangements as well. You can stay as a third room partner (aka ‘TR’) with anybody you find helpful enough to accommodate you.
Attendances are not compulsory in JNU and that at times works against you. Being a central university the exams are internal and profs do evaluate and grade you based on your performance throughout the semester (and to perform in the eyes of somebody, you should be present in front of that person !!) In general people buy a personal computer as soon as they get hostel. It generally helps if your intention is to learn. Otherwise there are lots of computer games and lots of movies and songs to exchange . One important thing, most of the people who make it to JNU are not so good at English communication. First semester is a great opportunity to hone your communication skills. Form groups of 3-4 and have regular group discussions. Make it a point to speak in English amongst yourselves. The exams : In general you will have 2 minor tests , 1 mid-semester and one end semester exam other than regular assignments (so you better be on your toes). Whether you get multiple assignments or a sem-end project generally depends on the faculty. To summarize, first semester is the time to understand what you don’t know and what you need to learn the maximum; time to understand JNU; time to understand your teachers, time to accommodate for accommodation and time to make friends, some of them whom will be your friends for life. So be as open as enthusiastic and as disciplined as you can. Better set targets for end of semester and follow this every semester
Second Semester ‘The semester of hectic learning’ :-
Even semesters (sem 2,4 and 6) are shorter in duration than odd semesters but are more eventful and hence hectic. You need to be more planned, more in control to excute this semester well. There will a lots of new things to learn and a number of things to do. Below are the set off-the-curriculum events that are part of SC&SS calendar in this semester
- Technophilia :- The annual inter-university technical fest : Timing is sometime Jan/Feb. SC&SS holds a number of events like quizzes, overnight programming etc ( follow this link for details). You are supposed to organize this along with your senior batch. The kind of responsibilities might range from getting the content on website to design the posters /pamphlets etc in photoshop to paste them in different institutes
- Eudemonia :- The annual alumni meet for SC&SS.: The timing is last week of Jan/ first week of Feb. You are supposed to coordinate the cultural evening and the decoration etc at SC&SS. Rest is handled by your senior batch. Looks easy, but it is one of the most difficult part as you have to be very creative, you have to rehearse, you have to coordinate amongst your batch for a lot of things and all that goes along with your studies
- Farewell :- For the outgoing batch (better known as super-seniors). Timing is sometime end April- 1st week of May. As per the tradition the incoming batch bids farewell to the outgoing batch. This would be first time that you as a batch will be organizing an event independently ( and keep on doing so until you enter 3rd year). BTW, there is no formal name for this event. You are at will to give this a name Does all that look useless ?? Believe me, it is just the opposite. You learn the skills you would never get to learn in classroom. And these skills are definitely helpful for the career you are dreaming about. You will get to interact with a lot of new people and would come across a number of situations where you need to react immediately and appropriately. You would learn the skill of meeting responsibilities by best use of time and resources ( isn’t that what we intend to do always ??)
Third Semester ‘The semester of planning and EXECUTING’ :-
Third semester is strategically most important semester. You get to plan and do a lot for your campus placements, you get to integrate with the political and administrative structures within JNU through JNUSU student councilor and SFC member( Student Faculty Council) and as always you have to study The major things which you will be doing this semester are:-
- Freshers party :- Similar to the farewell party in 2nd sem. Timing is August last week/September 1st week
- Framing the Placement committee :- This the a grilling, important, time taking task which the batch has to do in 3rd sem. The committee should include people who are good in communication and convincing abilities, are enthusiastic about the role and are trusted by everybody From third semester you are expected to be more mature, more focused and more forward looking. Have as much GD’s as you can, have as many presentations as you can. Try to do a live project during summers, and yes, cover a part of sem 4 and revisions in sem 3 holidays, sem 4 will be busy.
Fourth semester is the semester of full responsibility, the semester which flies by the fastest, these semester where you will be tested against standards, the semester of judgement. You will be organizing the tech-fest, organizing the alumni meet, talking to HRs and other usual stuff, Below are a few if the events. No description is being put, figure things out yourself when you face them
- Technophilia
- Eudemonia, the alumni meet
- Designing the placement brochure
- Company visits
- Scheduling the campus visits by organizations
- Preparing for placement
Fifth Semester ‘Enjoy the fruits but keep growing new trees’ :- Congratulations !! You have offer(s) in hand !! You do not have much things ti di as such. You worked quite hard for last two years and that brought good results. You can simply relax !!!! Nope, there are still things you can explore. Most of the courses in this sem are advanced stpes fir the topics in earlier semesters. You can explore them to grill the researcher in you. You can wirk with any faculty member in the work being done You can hone your communication skills better. You can also take admission into a foreign language as non-Credit course (NC) Most importantly, you can contribute to the new batch by teaching them things they don’t know. Many of them find the programming exercises etc too tough to comprehend. You can help them
Sixth Semester ‘Welcome to the world’ :-
Enough of tottering. You will be going to feel the world now. In this sem you are supposed to work on one industrial project. Take this opportunity to find shortcomings with you and correct them as and when you get to find one…
