This
post is co-authored by SD and CD. SD had got this sort of idea - of
writing a post as a newcomer’s guide to COEP - while reading the debate
on one of the posts on the COEP confessions page. Today CD answered a
similar question on Quora. Thereafter we collaborated to expand the idea
and list all the “do’s” in your four years in COEP. The culmination of
these efforts is the following magnum opus wherein we have incorporated
all the ideas that makes life in COEP different than in other colleges.
This post not only looks to guide freshers for the first year, but also
acts as a guide to misguided souls who for some unexplained reasons
avoid sojourns into these “so-called” dark realms of college life in
their own perspective and stray away from the COEP lifestyle even in
their latter years.
Note:
The list is by no means exhaustive, since the authors have included
only the topmost points we feel one should not miss out on. We have done
most of these things, or have at least observed those things which we
haven't experienced. If you want to do any of these things, please do so
at your own risk. The authors take no responsibility for any mishaps or
tight situations you may land yourself in. We never had any trouble
with any of the mentioned activities, and have thus included these in
our “must do” activities.
COEP,
in its own rights, is a very unique college to do your undergraduate
studies from. An added fact that it is one of the oldest Engineering
college in India is a matter of pride for each and every one associated
with it. However, COEP, is an ever evolving college which makes it stand
out from the rest. Here, as students, you can pursue anything you want.
There is no limit to what you can do here - and that is not just
restricted to academics. A whole range of activities take place which
you are free to explore. We will not discuss any details or the history
of these activities nor that of college as well. We will just give an
overview of how to enjoy these activities and COEP social life to the
fullest. The activities are distributed according to where they usually
take place. Some are events, some are trivial things that can occur
anywhere, some are department specific.
There was a batch who had a sweatshirt printed with the quote - “Not in COEP? You missed a chance that you never had.”
In eyes of COEPians it was one of the finest tribute one could give to
the college, and as an added advantage it could be used to showcase your
“maaz” which is so essential to exhibit when you are living in Pune.
(Yes - by just being in COEP, you have a divine right to do “maaz” in
Pune.) In our times, getting admission in COEP for any branch was enough
to give you infinite bragging rights - and we guess that scenario will
barely change! Anyway we are getting nostalgic and entering our hedonic
“maaz” mode now, and should put a stop to this.
So
without wasting any further cyberspace with our nostalgic and
“maazkhor” blabbering, we present the 51 things you as a COEPian should
really do before you graduate:
A. Boat Club:
You
are fortunate to get admission in a college which has its own dedicated
boat club with more than 70 boats of different types. In fact it is the
only engineering college in India which has its own boat club (unlike
some colleges which call their dysfunctional fountain boat club). BC
gives you opportunity to do so many things that you never quite explore
it completely! We spent most of our times on BC (yes, even more time
than we spent in lectures). We did most of the things you could do
there. Here are a few:
Learn
to do at least one of the following: rowing, sculling and kayaking. If
you are put off by the river water, at least do punting.
Give
swim test in the river for thrills!! You pass the swim test, you are
immune from most of the water borne diseases for the rest of your life.
Participate
actively in Regatta. If you want to be old school, go for events such
as arrow formation (in the 1st year) and Diamond Formation (now
converted to shell games) in higher years. If you are in it for the
thrills, go for Kayak Ballet. And if you just want to do some boat club
activity to clear your GY101, GY 102, participate in Punt Formation
(only for freshers). There is a high possibility of you hooking up with
some chick. Many of the CoEP jodis were initiated during those peoples
PF days. The authors never did PF, and are thus, single. We went for
more old school - AF and DF.
Contribute
to the RMC (Regatta Managing Committee) in some way. It is all hard
donkey work, but the food you get at the end (Regatta Dinner) makes all
that work worthwhile. Suruchi caterers provides awesome Watermelon and
Waldorf Salads which literally fill you up - not to mention Strawberry
Rabdi.
Participate in this event called “Punt Hunt”. It is super fun and is done in groups of 5 - as 4 boys and a girl.
Bunk
lectures and play Mafia. Peers, juniors, seniors waste their time
playing Mafia. Also 3-patti is a favorite game. You can use matchsticks
as substitute for money.
Play
Badminton and TT almost for free all year round. It is a bonus to
become a BMC member as you can play anytime you want including
afternoons.
Dattu
Mama - the boatman at BC lives on the BC itself. His wife makes the
awesomest Sabudana Khichadi you will get in college. Don’t miss it!
Udhari at BC canteen. (Owner is Madhusheth, he hates it :-D ).
Play
rangapanchami at BC. This is super fun! Use water from the new
washrooms at BC. :-D Enjoy rangpanchami at BC but do clean up the white
tables at BC canteen afterwards.
B. Fab Lab
Switch on the AC and sleep in fab lab
Make something to decorate your house/room using fab lab machines.
C. Social Activities:
You
can enjoy a variety of social activities through Spandan. Also other
activities are river cleaning, Jalmaitri Yatra co-organized by BC. Join
the Pankhudi group activities to teach children.
D. World Record
Try
to be a part of world record. COEP holds world record for skipping,
longest painting, and more recently Rubik’s cube solving.
E. Mech Chimney
Go to the highest point of mech chimney.
Put up the Regatta/ Zest/ Mind-spark banner up there.
F. Gathering Sports
Mixed cricket is a fun event. Do play mixed cricket in gathering sports.
G. Elections
Participate
in elections. You may make fool out yourself. But do participate or be
active. But keep in mind, forget everything about the regionalism after
the election results are out.
H. Zest
Participate in Zest as a college team member/ volunteer.
Do not miss Cummins vs MIT girls basketball match ;-)
If you are in basket ball team, try to beat this shot by Mahesh Hase.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBgBkjkyi80
I. Cultural Competitions
Go
to firodiya purushottam etc, shout out loud and cheer for COEP team.
Shout “awaaz konacha.. maaz konacha.. COEP cha..” If COEP does not get
prize / other college’s performance is better, shout.. “are placements
konachya..“ :-D
Mock the other college’s performers by passing comments until the guard comes and threatens you to throw out.. (true story!) :-D
J. Cultural Events
Listen to Iyer madam singing.
Go
on stage and perform at least once. Plenty of opportunities every year -
Gathering, Variety, Mind-spark, Street play, Mad-ads etc.
If not, at least do BE dance. :-D
K. Dinners
Go
for all the dinners: Mind-spark, Zest, Gathering (both days :-D ),
Regatta, Nobel laureate lectures and other events. FREE FOOD IS THE BEST
FOOD!
L. Mind-spark
Participate/volunteer for Mind-spark. Try to be in the main committee or be event head for some event in your third year.
M. Classroom Masti:
Cricket in classroom using writing pads and ball made of handkerchief. Do look out for profs/ mamas.
Watch movie. Use projector.
Celebrate ‘shorts day’ (for boys only). Girls can opt for it too if they want. But girls can opt for ‘formals day’ also.
Celebrate sir’s / madam’s birthday.
Give missed calls to your prof during lectures. Especially a certain big shot prof in E&TC.
Don’t
copy everything. Don’t copy friend’s name on your journal. Write at
least one experiment on your own. It is quite difficult. :-P
N. Examinations
Try to get FF grade in psychology. It is incredibly difficult to fail in that subject.
Even if you are a five pointer, get AA grade in some subject everyone is relaxed about and then screw the relative grading.
Fight with teachers to increase your marks. You are the only people in Pune who get to see their answer sheets.
O. Exam Cell:
Try to obtain proper and right marksheet using MIS. (that too in the first try) :-D
Pester the people in exam cell for right marksheets and transcripts (especially people applying for higher studies).
P. First Year:
Participate in robotics competitions in all the colleges - especially Cummins.
Do your own tin smithy and welding job. :-D
Q. General:
Night
out places: BC gym and BC office during Regatta, gymkhana office during
Zest or Gathering or Mind-spark, RSC during Robocon, BAJA lab during
BAJA, subway. (hostel - for localites).
Join
at least one club and participate in at least one competition. Even ham
radio or or debate ot history club will do. :-D :-p But do join any one
club.
Fishponds! (Stretch your imagination)
Trad
day dance. Do not forget to keep track of who gave which coloured rose
to whom. This knowledge comes in handy for “cheering” your friends
during competitions, after placements and finally for farewell and
convocation. :-D
Suicide test!! Eske bare me kya kehna!!
Take someone for “long” drive! At least offer the hottest (? !) chick in your class ride to the (girls) hostel.
Register on matrimonial site using the general student id (student@coep). :-p
Hostel mess - taste the specialities :-D
Football in parking (especially during exams - vivas).
R. Aeroplane engine: Do check it out.
Ok.
So now you have got a glimpse of what you can do in COEP. BUT don’t
forget the main purpose, study, pass and get nokari (chhokari will
follow if you are lucky :-D ).
