Getting admission into an Ivy league institution can be one of the most amazing experiences in a person’s life. Ivy league institutions, as we all know, are highly demanding. Apart from requiring extremely good academic credentials, you also need to have other qualities, such as the ability to convince them on why they should accept you over thousands of other candidates.
If you’re one of the lucky few who got accepted into an elite Ivy league institution, then congratulations on a job well done. You’re well on your way to a bright future.
It definitely won’t be easy, by any means. But there are things you can do to ensure that your education progresses as smoothly as possible, in both the academic and cultural sense.
The change from Indian to American culture might be a bit of a shock. But to avoid an unpleasant transition, you should be aware of some of the cultural trends and practices that are lifestyle trends in US Ivy league institutions.
Take a look at some of the factors that shape the lifestyle of people studying in Ivy league institutions.
It’s Not All Formal Clothing
You’d expect the world’s most elite students to wear the most formal clothing. That’s where the expectation deviates. Although we’re used to a number of colleges in India to adopt a formal dress code for their students, this doesn’t exist in the Ivy League institutions.
The students here prefer comfort over everything else. This means that they’re allowed to wear T-shirts, casual pants inside the campus. Very rarely will you see someone coming to college dressed as if they were about to attend an interview.
If you’re looking to mingle with your fellow students, then it’s a good idea to follow the same style they do. You don’t want to be the odd one out. There are also student stores on the campus where you can get clothes which promote the spirit of your institution. So, if you’re heading outside, then you can show the whole world that you are indeed, an Ivy League student.
Yes, Coursework Is Going To Be Tough
Being a student of one of the most esteemed institutions in the world means that your workload, and the expectations that people have on you, are going to be compounded.
There will be a plethora of assignments to write, classes to attend, and credits to earn. How effectively you manage all of this is up to you.
Some students can only focus on finishing their course, while others are more effective in managing both academic and extracurricular life. But whichever camp you’re in, you can be sure that there will never be a moment when you’re not busy.
This lifestyle will ultimately help prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead, after you complete your course.
Speak Up, You Need To
Unlike students in our country, who aren’t encouraged to speak up in a class, the staff here prefer students who actively participate in their class. The classroom environment is said to be conducive for students to voice out their opinions without hesitation.
This sort of personal involvement will help a great deal in shaping your personality, and ultimately boosting your self-confidence.
Be Social, It Pays Off
Students here want a fun college experience, just like everyone else. So, it will not be all work and no play.
Wherever you look, there will always be some kind of event happening, some concert to go to, some party to attend. It’s your choice to pick and choose which ones you want to attend.
Not only is this a good way to relax, you’re also forging friendships and making connections that will almost certainly prove to be useful later on in life. It’s up to you to make maximum use of these opportunities without letting your grades drop.
It’s a tightrope walk to balance both an education and a social life, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll thank yourself for doing so. A variation from our culture might be shocking, but it can be better to adjust than reject it outright.