‘I believe that learning and personal growth go beyond academics’

Meet Pradnya Mayur Chandorkar, a cheerful and outgoing 17-year-old with a passion for art, craft, singing, and design. Currently pursuing Interior Design at Apeejay Institute of Design (AID), she is fascinated by how design shapes our everyday lives. Drawn to AID’s warm, welcoming environment and supportive faculty, Pradnya is exploring her creative potential while learning patience and attention to detail. A proud Ms. Fresher, she actively participates in the Cultural and Photography Clubs and looks forward to growing as a designer. 

Why did you choose AID, and which course are you pursuing?

I chose AID because of its warm and welcoming environment and the support offered by its teachers. I visited the campus two or three times before making my decision, and each visit made me feel more comfortable with the place. 

What stood out to me was how homely the environment felt. Instead of feeling like I was entering a formal institution, it felt like I was stepping into a second home where I would be welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow.

I am currently pursuing Interior Design at AID, and I look forward to developing my creative skills and gaining the knowledge and experience I need to build a career in this field.

What have you learned so far at AID, and how do you feel about becoming Ms. Fresher?

In the two and a half months I have spent at AID, I have learned a lot, both academically and personally. One of my biggest takeaways has been the importance of patience. I always thought of myself as a patient person, but design has taught me that every detail takes time, effort, and attention. 

I also love how the teachers encourage us to push ourselves and bring out our full potential. For the first time, I find myself genuinely motivated to work harder and earn better marks. That has been a really nice change for me because I finally feel excited about learning and improving.

Becoming Ms. Fresher is an achievement that means a lot to me. Growing up, I often felt that my creative side did not have enough opportunities to shine, and I had never received an award like this before. Winning this title gave me a huge boost in confidence and made me feel that I had found a place where my creativity is valued and where I can grow. I feel very honoured, and it has encouraged me to keep improving and aim for more achievements in the future.

How do teachers train and encourage you for your design career?

The teachers at AID are amazing and very supportive. What I admire most is how they recognise each student’s potential and help them improve, regardless of their experience. I have seen classmates grow so much, including people who did not have much of an art background before joining. It is really nice to see how much the teachers can bring out of everyone.

My mentors have guided us through a lot and always encourage us to do our best. Their classes are engaging and enjoyable, which makes learning feel exciting rather than stressful. I genuinely try not to miss classes because I look forward to being in college and learning something new.

In addition to academics, are you part of any activities or clubs, and how are you building your skills through them?

I am currently part of the Cultural Club and the Photography Club at AID, and I also enjoy singing in my personal time. I really appreciate how the faculty organises different events and activities that encourage students to interact and get to know each other. It creates a welcoming environment and makes college life even more enjoyable. I believe that learning and personal growth go beyond academics.

Taking part in co-curricular activities helps us explore our interests, become more confident, express our creativity, and learn how to work with different people. I think these experiences play a big role in shaping our personalities and helping us grow as individuals. Through these clubs and activities, I hope to keep discovering my strengths and growing both personally and creatively.

What is your future goal?

At the moment, I am still exploring my options and figuring out what I want to pursue in the future. I believe in going with the flow while making the most of the opportunities I have right now. Instead of worrying too much about what lies ahead, I want to focus on improving myself, developing my design skills, and learning as much as I can.

I believe that building a strong set of skills, gaining experience, nurturing my creativity, and making meaningful connections will help me grow and prepare me for different opportunities. If you keep working on yourself and your abilities, you can find your place in many situations. For now, I want to make the most of my time at AID, grow as a person and as a designer, and stay open to wherever the future takes me.