We arrived at Bangalore, unknown of what is in store for us. The first day was slow and spent settling down in the hostel rooms and interacting with other students. We spent 6 days at the hostel and mess, roaming around looking at everything. The one thing for which we went to the academy was the online registration. Rest of the day was spent getting to know the others in our batch. Then came 11thMay, when the classes were to start. Being the first day, most of us were late to report to the academy and got a scolding from the director on day one itself. What a start! The first session was at the terrace, where the Director and the Dean addressed all the students. All of us were allotted our sections. When we went to our respective class rooms, all the students looked a bit hesitant to interact the first day, as none of us knew each other and my friends were in other sections. Then slowly and steadily, all of us got to know each other and became friends. There was suddenly lots to do, it was like a roller coaster ride for us at IMA. None of the days seemed boring.
The day started with the security guard blowing the whistle at 5.40 in the morning. This was a wake up call for us to get up and go to the ground for PT, if not our stipend would be cut. The PT sessions reminded us of our school days, when we used to skip exercise. After PT, at 6.30am we got ready to go to the academy at 8.30am. The lectures started from 8.30am and continued till 6.05pm.
There were presentations and assignments to be completed for each subject each trimester. We were so occupied the whole day that we sometimes would not even realize how the day ended. After tea again we would go to lab either to complete modules, or for preparing our ppts for our presentations or for surfing the net.The workshops which were conducted in between were like refreshments for the students, specially during the Second Trimester, as there are 5 banking subjects.
2nd trimester was fun filled with Branch visits and RPC visits. All of us were very close friends, as a section, we still celebrate each one's birthday with a cake. We had Mr.Raghvendra teaching us Banking 3. it was a great expereince with him. He had also taught us banking in the First Trimester, and Second Trimester we could connect each aspect of banking thanks to him.
Then second trimester exams started; more than the exams the thing that worried us was which specialization we'd be getting for third trimester. The news was given to us on the day of the second last exam of our second trimester. After getting to know that, we could hardly concentrate on our studies, our sections were also shuffled. All new students again, reminding us of the first day at IMA. But some old friends were still there. I cribbed a lot about the classes being shuffled, but then change is bound to happen. Slowly and steadily we adjusted to the new class as well. The great thing learned from IMA is accepting change and going with the flow and winning despite all odds.
Though third trimester has just begun, the countdown for getting back to our homes had begun. At this point its a mixture of two extreme emotions. For one all are happy that only few days are remaining to get back. And on the other, we would be leaving IMA. The lectures won't be a part of our schedule, no PT in the morning, no PPTs to be made, no more dreadful exams.
Only few days remaining for us to go back and join our respective branches. Left with us will only be memories... Though all of us are staying away from our homes, from our parents, it has taught us to be confident, face all situations with courage, never underestimate ourselves and aim high in life.
Some months down the line, working in our respective branches, a thought would flash by, of the days we spent at IMA, of the times spent at Radhika, at the Samosa wala, cribbing about mess's food and about the strict rules of IMA, the lab sessions, the outings, the ups and downs we went through, in studies, in friendship, with ourselves........ Unforgettable days at IMA...
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