Dept. Freshie Talks
Friday, 01/08/2025
Last Friday, the department corridors did not fall silent the moment class hours ended, as they usually do. Instead, students from the newly joined MA batch streamed into HSB 352 for their first official interaction with their department seniors. This session, titled Dept. Freshie Talks was organized by the department student office bearers as a formal introduction to life in the department and beyond.
The venue was all set with PowerPoint slides and cordless microphones, patiently waiting for everyone to arrive. And in classic insti fashion, the event began exactly thirty minutes after the scheduled time, at 6:30 p.m.
The evening began with a welcome note by the department secretary, after which students holding institute-level positions took the stage to introduce their teams and share their experiences. This segment featured Kaushik (SECC Commissioner), Prabhanjana (Institute Sports Secretary), Keerthana and Anna (Saarang Events Cores), Abhishek (Saarang Design Core), Nadha (Saathi Women’s Representative), Behjad (Case Club Head), Surbhi (UPSC Club Head), and Rudransh (Chennai 36 Head). They spoke about their respective teams, their journeys in the PoRs, and how freshers could get involved.
One of the important parts of the session was on academics, led by Department Legislator (Academics), Uthara Raji. She outlined the course categories, grading system, and the MA project, while also introducing the Student Legislative Council. Research Legislator Subhra followed with a short but impactful message, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and seeking clarity in the academic journey.
Department Secretary Aswitha returned to highlight the role of the Department Secretary Council and walked the freshers through various cultural and sports events hosted by the department. From mixer nights, ethnic day, and the department fest to games and tournaments like frisbee, cricket, football, and badminton, her presentation, accompanied by photos from last year, offered a vivid glimpse into what lies ahead.
The final segment saw the heads of various department teams and clubs introduce their work and invite freshers to participate. Representatives from Article 19, the Alumni Relations Team, and the Placement and Internship Cell spoke about their roles and plans. This was followed by the department clubs, the Chess Club, Film Club, Photography Club, Dead Poets Society, and Pareto, who briefly described their activities and welcomed new members. Each of them spoke with energy and enthusiasm about what they had planned for the year ahead.
Though the session flooded the freshers with information and an overwhelming number of QR codes, it served as an important first step. It helped demystify insti and department jargon, offering a much-needed understanding of the ecosystem they have just entered. More importantly, it encouraged them to look beyond academics, break out of their cocoons, and find spaces that foster creativity and engagement.
What began as a humid Friday evening turned into a lively exchange between curious freshers and welcoming seniors. It did not end up as a boring series of lectures but was a platform for freshers to listen, observe, and get a sense of the department. The gentle smiles, sustained attention, and nods of acknowledgement from the freshers continued throughout the evening.
To top it off, the department office sponsored a light snack and a refreshing cup of lemonade for everyone who attended. The event wrapped up around 8:00 p.m., with students rushing back to their hostels and mess for dinner, though a few lingered behind, continuing conversations and building the first of many friendships.
Edited by Samhita Y
Article 19 