Beyond the Scroll: Real Connections

Now a days it has become really challenging to focus on something. I too struggle with this on day to day basis. The social media has bombarded us with information, much of which is irrelevant, cluttering our minds and diminishing our attention spans. This decline in focus has, in turn, eroded our patience.

'Patience', this is the word I was thinking about during a lecture I attended today. The students were chattering during the class, I found myself irritated, unable to concentrate on the lecture. At my college, IIT, there’s a pervasive mindset that professors are boring, and to some extent, this is true. Yet, if you truly listen, you’ll find that they often impart valuable knowledge that we weren’t aware of before. While it’s easy to blame the professors, the responsibility to engage and understand lies with us as well. We should at least make an effort to grasp what they’re teaching.

The obsession with coding, machine learning, and the relentless pursuit of high-paying jobs dominates student life here. The drive to maintain a high CPI and secure placements has overshadowed the joy of learning. It wasn’t until my fourth year, especially after completing my internship, that I began to appreciate the value of knowledge. When I found people around me curious for me being from IIT, they asked me questions related to my domain, electronics and I was not able to answer them. I felt that I have completely wasted my time. Despite my lack of interest in electronics, I could have made more of an effort to learn.

Right now I have a subject course in which the professor has assigned some marks for class participation. He encourages students to take part in class discussions. I found this approach refreshing because it addresses a significant issue in our education system—the loss of human connection. We’ve become so focused on grades and outcomes that we’ve forgotten the importance of interaction.

In my internship I learned what is a people factor. When you interact with humans you grow. Before, I was a rather introverted person, avoiding conversations and ignoring my surroundings. However, I realized that engaging with others fosters growth. Talking helps, and what you choose to discuss matters even more.

We need to realize the importance of self-control—especially when it comes to avoiding getting lost in reels and the trap of social media. It’s crucial to understand the value of our time, knowledge, and the people around us. Instead of wasting time on social media, we should look around and make real connections. Talk to someone, join in discussions, and engage with the world around you.