‘Make the most of your university experience’

Aditi Gupta, a BBA student at Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Gurugram, is passionate about marketing, media and understanding consumer behaviour. Describing her university journey through learning, growth and exposure, she credits hands-on experiences, event coordination and entrepreneurship activities for transforming her confidence and communication skills. From initially being hesitant to taking responsibility and leading teams, Aditi has discovered her strengths and gained clarity about her aspirations in marketing, media and business. Read edited excerpts:

How would you describe your journey at Apeejay Stya University in three words?

Learning, Growth and Exposure. These three words describe my journey because every experience has taught me something new, helped me grow as a person and given me exposure to opportunities beyond academics. When I first came to campus, I was a little hesitant and unsure about putting myself forward.

Today, I feel much more confident in communicating my ideas, interacting with people and taking responsibility. My experience as a  Coordinator in university events played an important role in this change. It gave me the opportunity to coordinate with people, manage responsibilities and work as part of a team. Along the way, I developed skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, event management and presentation. I also learned the importance of taking initiative and staying responsible when working with a team.

How is the curriculum preparing you for the professional world?

The curriculum gives us a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical exposure. Presentations, projects, group activities and discussions have helped me understand how to apply what we learn in real situations.

These experiences have also taught me how to work in a team, manage responsibilities, communicate professionally and present ideas effectively, which I believe are important skills for the professional world.

How has this university contributed to your dreams and ambitions?

Apeejay has given me the opportunity to explore different areas and understand my interests better. My involvement in entrepreneurship and event-related activities has especially helped me explore my interest in marketing, media and business.

The university has also encouraged me to become more independent, take initiative and be confident about the career path I want to build

What advice would you give to incoming students?

My advice would be to not limit yourself to academics. Make the most of your university experience by participating in events, taking up responsibilities, meeting new people and trying things outside your comfort zone.

You may not have everything figured out when you start college, and that’s completely fine. Use these years to explore, learn from your experiences and discover what genuinely interests you.

Did stepping out of your comfort zone help you discover something new about yourself?

Definitely. Stepping out of my comfort zone helped me realise that I’m more comfortable taking responsibility and communicating with people than I initially thought. Participating in activities, working with different people and taking up responsibilities in events pushed me to become more confident. These experiences have also helped me understand the areas I want to explore professionally, particularly marketing, media and business.