Go to college in style

Breaking away from uniforms, first-year students are excited and nervous about the freedom that college life offers. Yashshri Soman reports.

Ipsita Bhattacharya (17) is extremely confused and apprehensive. Having completed her Class 12 from RN Podar School, where every day she wore a uniform to class, Ipsita is now in a fix about what to wear for her first day at college.

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"I am confused as I don't know what clothes to wear so as to look casual but not ragged. I should also feel comfortable. But, it is an amazing feeling to be wearing casual clothes and not being tensed about ironing your uniform or polishing your shoes every morning," said Ipsita, who scored 91 per cent in her CBSE examination and hopes to join an engineering college.

For most first-year degree students, college began on Friday. While students were highly confused about choosing the right attire for Day One of college, many chose to play safe and don the 'casual look'.

"I think people judge you by the clothes you wear. I plan to dress up casually but not too fashionably," said Matunga resident Kanchi Vora (15), who scored 93 per cent in her SSC examination and is awaiting admission to junior college.

With the recent case of a Bhandup college not allowing a student to enter college due to "indecent clothing", adhering to a dress code adds to the students' confusion.

"While in college, we expect our students to dress in a manner that creates an academic atmosphere. It is also a matter of discipline," said Father Frazer Mascarenhas, principal, St. Xavier's College at Dhobi Talao.

The freedom of college life and the informal atmosphere have students excited.

"I hope college life lives up to my expectations," said Palak Thadeshwar (15), who plans to take up science in junior college.

Some students were caught up with shopping before classes began.

"We will be wearing lab coats but I plan to go shopping before college begins as this is the only time I will get to shop," said Kejal Merani (17), who scored 192/200 in the medical common entrance test.