Cowper said: "What peaceful hours, I once enjoyed! How sweet their memory still!

"

Sweet memories are like the sweet smelling flowers strewn on the strenuous path of life. They change
life into a bloomy and balmy garden. In the store house of my college memories, enriched with many
pearls and pebbles, the first day at the college occupies a prominent position. Every part of it is still fresh
in my mind and will, I hope, remain so for so many years to come.

College is a romantic word for young students when they are at school. They are very anxious to enter
this wider world of education that promises more liberty and letter chances of progress than school life.
College life polishes the personality of a student – it teaches manners and etiquettes.

As it is well said, “A college is a place of light of liberty and of learning” (Desraeli)

College life has its own charm and beauty. Each and every moment spent there is
always worth-living, worth-enjoying and also worth-remembering. Out of all the
days, we can never forget the first day of college life.

“A New place and a New Life with a New lifestyle.”

First day of college is really very special and memorable for every student.  The first of
anything impresses us most. That is why we hardly ever forget our first love, our first
success, our first friend. Likewise, we cannot forget our first day at college, the day that
symbolizes the transition period from one life, so to say, into another. It comes to my mind
again and again with those alien but lively feelings, those impressions, and sights and
sounds.

“What a beautiful chapter of a student’s life, College life is!” QUOTATION

At last the result of matriculation examination was declared and I came out with flying
colors. After I passed my school examination with good grades, many excited and heated
discussions took place on the choice of subjects and college. I decided to take admission in
Government College which was the biggest college of my city. I had heard a lot of stories
about college life from my elder sibling and relatives. According to them college is not as
strict as school. I was full of excitement, inner joy and high hopes for a promising future. I
thought college life would be full of pleasures and of course it was. College life is not as
strict as the school life.

On the very first day, I got up early in the morning as I was much excited for the
college life. I offered Dawn Prayer and took a hearty bath and got ready for the
college. I could even do breakfast because of excitement. As soon as I stepped into
the college, I felt like I have entered a new world. It was indeed a completely new
world for me. The college had a wonderful building, lovely playgrounds and
devoted Professors. The grand traditions, good mannerism, and liberal atmosphere
made a great difference to my life. My first-day entry in college always fascinates
me. My first day was an unforgettable experience of my educational life.

“My impressions of the first day at college are still fresh in my memory. It
seems impossible to erase those Sweet memories.”
When I reached the main hall of the college, some senior students of the college were
standing there. Some of them where in a jolly mood and wanted to befool the new-comers.
They had worked out their own plans to make the new-comers indulge in strange actions.
However, we decided to act together to avoid their practical jokes. Some of the senior were
approaching us with an air of superiority. They were large in number so they made us
subdue immediately. They asked us to do strange things like singing ridiculous songs and
doing monkey pranks. The sense of self- respect did not allow me to act according to their
wishes. Still they forced me to obey their orders. I felt a little humiliated but took it
sportingly.

“Seniors always approach juniors with an air of superiority” QUOTATION

Meanwhile, a senior Professor of the college came to our rescue. He asked the boys to assemble in the
hall where the principal would address them. We went to the hall. First, there was prayer accompanied
by recitation from the Holy Quran. The principal delivered an introductory speech to the students. He
made us realize the responsibilities in the college life by quoting a Chinese proverb:

“Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself” QUOTATION

Our first period was of English. We want to the classroom and set on the benches. A
Professor entered the room, the boys stood up greet him. He took our roll-call and entered
the names of the students in his attitude register. He did not teach us but advised us about
our future life. He stressed what we should not misuse the liberty here rather we should
keep full use of the opportunity to achieve our end. He also advised the students not to take part
in politics at college and pay full attention to their studies. As it is well said by Edward Everet: “

Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.” QUOTATION

In the recess period, one of my fellow students took me to the college library. There were many cabinets
full of books and magazines. Many students were reading books and newspapers. As it is well said,

College is like a fountain of knowledge – and the students are there to drink. (Martian Luther King)

Then, we went to the college canteen to refresh ourselves with some cold drink. I found the students
sitting here in various groups, taking tea, samosas, cakes, etc. After attending all the periods, I got free at
2 O’clock and returned home fully satisfied with my college and its standard of education. Thus my first
day at college came to an end and left behind unforgettable memories

All the really valuable things you own are things you cannot photograph. QUOTATION