‘What I like the most about my university is the stage it has given me’

Manya Mishra, a Pharmacy student at Apeejay Stya University, Gurugram, is a passionate performer who balances academics with her love for dance, music, and public speaking. Inspired by the university’s vibrant stage culture and supportive faculty, she has grown into a confident and expressive individual. Through pharmacy, she aspires to make healthcare more accessible while continuing to nurture her artistic spirit and leadership skills. Read edited excerpts: 

What skills are you learning in the Apeejay?

At Apeejay, I am learning valuable skills like time management, punctuality, communication, event management, organising, teamwork and coordination, self presentation, basic research and analytical thinking, professional discipline, and most importantly, confidence. These are helping me grow every day. These have helped me change for the better.

Why did you choose pharmacy, what are your learning aspirations?

I chose pharmacy because it reflects in our day to day life. Even during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when many professions slowed down, pharmacy continued to serve people. My aspiration is to learn how to make medicines accessible and understandable for common people. I want to graduate knowing I can actually serve someone’s health, not just pass exams for the sake of passing.

Tell us about your good times at Apeejay like with friends, in competitions?

I have very good times at Apeejay, some more precious than others. I love walks after dinner with my friends. During competitions, they help me get ready. They do my makeup, fix my costume, make sure I look my best. Movie nights in the hostel are fun too. They bring me peace in this chaotic world.

What do you like the most about your university?

What I like the most about my university is the stage it has given me. It has given me countless opportunities to go from an extremely underconfident student to a highly confident one. It brought the artist in me back to life, not just through cultural events but leadership too. I have an unbreakable bond with the stage, all because my university gave me equal chances at every step.

How do you balance your academics and hobbies of dance and music?

I balance academics and hobbies by staying connected to art all the time. My soul longs for it. I’m an artist at heart. I’m always practicing in my mind whether I’m walking, resting, or even dreaming. But during events, I let the artist in me take over. I give most of my time to refine my art. That’s when I feel the most alive.