Memoirs of a Sophian

Sophia College for Women, Mumbai is one of the most renowned institutions for women’s education in the country. Situated in Breach Candy, one of the most elite localities of Bombay, it is widely and unfortunately referred to as the LSR of Mumbai.

Sophians have been known to be extremely self absorbed, arrogant and very proud of their Sophian lineage. I couldn't agree less.

And why not? We have a beautiful campus, one of the best in the city!

We are proud of everything our campus has to offer. Including its magnificent neo-classical buildings that were once part of a palace and the highlight of the campus - the Central Lawn and the age old Gulmohar tree that has seen many proud Sophians come and go.

It’s pronounced as S-O-P-H-I-A and not S-O-F-E-E-Y-A. Okay?

Just to clear the confusion as to the pronunciation, Sophia in greek means ‘Wisdom’

Hence, we’d like to think of ourselves as very wise and there’s no doubt that we are.

I knew from the moment I stepped foot into the campus that Sophia would transform me as an individual and I can say without a shadow of doubt that it has.

I still remember the first day I came to campus for my hostel interview. Yes, we had interviews because the hostel has a limited number of seats and a place in the hostel is based solely on merit. Needless to say, I was extremely nervous but I was hopeful.

I had never been part of a convent institution before. I didn't know the kind of questions they'd ask me or what I could do to earn brownie points to get into the hostel. I was absolutely dreading the idea of staying in the hostel (on campus) in a city like Mumbai that had so much to explore. Unfortunately for me, it was either the hostel or back to Calcutta, as per my father’s instructions.

So, I had to ace the interview and secure my seat at all costs. Going back wasn't an option, it never will be. I got lucky, and somehow managed to get a seat in the main hostel. Initially I was skeptical about it. The idea of staying away from home for the first time and that too in girls’ hostel where I would have to share a room with someone, and use the common bathrooms made me cringe.

I’m glad I kept an open mind and I soon made good friends, not just for three years but for life.

I was blessed to have the best roommates anyone could ever ask for. Yes, all my three years haven’t been all hunky-dory. There have been fights and arguments and misunderstandings, but we’ve learnt how to handle them like adults and be considerate towards each other. In the end, you are one big family of a 120 girls staying under the same roof. I’ve had some great memories at Sophia. There were times I’ve been at home during my vacations where I was homesick for the hostel and my friends and roommates.

One learns a lot staying away from home - managing your finances, fending for yourself, taking care of your health because your mother will not be around to pamper you all the time and also becoming immune to the mess food that would always serve as the resting ground for many cockroaches and other insects. For those reading this, the food at the Symbiosis mess is equivalent to food from a restaurant for me and I have no qualms admitting it.

There were many perks of being a hostelite. For starters, we did not have to travel at all to go to class like the day scholars would (by train) and we considered ourselves extremely fortunate that we did not have to travel during the rainy season.  Second, our college has been part of many movies, as most of you must have recognised the pink buildings in Ishq Vishq and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Hence, we’ve had the privilege of meeting many actors.

Although being a hostelite, We’ve had to shoulder many responsibilities. This meant that we had to be extremely active in college, have no less than 90 percent attendance in each subject. Since I was a student of Mass media, our department head Dr. Colaco expected us to put the department first at all costs, which was added pressure. I held the post of Class Representative in my third year and it was not easy. One person that I shared a love-hate relationship was with Dr. Colaco. She has been part of the college and teaching for the last fifty years. She even taught out Principal and is the oldest and most respected faculty members. She has single handedly set up the entire Mass Media department in 1998 and headed it since. I have immense respect for her work and what she’s trying to do and consider myself very lucky to be taught under her guidance.

College wasn't all that serious. Sophia is known for it’s inter-collegiate festival - Kaleidoscope or

K-scope as it is fondly referred to as by the students. One entire week of great participation, (organized solely by the students) fun, food and meeting new people, fighting for slots, cheering for our teams and being part of the workforce and the experience only got better with every passing year. There were other events organized by the students that saw great participation from other colleges and students and most of us have extremely fond memories during these times.

They say that three years in college will be your best and they were indeed, for me. Sophia college has molded and shaped the person I was to the person I’ve always wanted to be - An independent, optimistic and confident young woman, ready to take on the world.