I still remember it clearly. A month back, my brother and I were huddled around my father’s laptop. Three options glowed back: “Robotics in Action”, “Data Science, Economics and Business” and “Biology Beyond Medicine”.
These were the options offered by Plaksha University for their YTS+ Summer Camp. Promising hands-on, interactive learning in all these fields.
Out of all these options, Data Science really stood out to me. I was much more familiar with stock market investing and I was curious to know how Data Science could assist that. To Jerry, my brother, robotics had much more of an appeal. And so we finalized our decisions.
We spent the remaining time in anticipation. Drowning in both the anxiety of living on our own for 2 weeks and the excitement that came with the possibility of novel experiences and new knowledge to grasp.
A day after returning from the camp, I decided to write this blog. A compilation of the lessons that were not spoken aloud nor taught in the classrooms, but observed and experienced by me.
On Socializing
If there’s one thing I desperately wanted from this summer camp, it would be a guide to socializing. Not only am I homeschooled, but I’m also an introvert. So the prospect of 2 weeks surrounded by strangers brought me both anxiety and a gentle expectation that I might learn how to socialize.
This story started with a small and strange attempt at socializing. It was the evening of the first day, and I entered the dining hall to grab some snacks.
The hall was bustling with people, sounds of the constant chatter and the noises of the spoons and plates filled the air. The reason for such noise became evident when I could not find a table to sit at.
But in this sea of chaos, I managed to find a chair that I could sit at. The problem? 8 people were already sitting around it.
Now I don’t know exactly what made me do it. Perhaps I was feeling a little brave that day or maybe I was just too lazy to find a free table, but I approached them.
They gracefully allowed me to sit with them and started introducing themselves. I spent around an hour with them, but I don’t suppose we clicked as friends. After that I didn’t hang out with them again.
Very anticlimactic isn’t it. Though this bold move did not bring any friends, it wasn’t wholly in vain. I did manage to gain a valuable lesson. Socializing isn’t something to be stressed about or to put “effort” into. It’s a natural instinct that we already have. Forcing it in that case, would only make it feel awkward.
So how did this lesson change me? I would casually greet people I knew as I walked past them, or I would start a conversation with a student as I waited for the elevator. This perspective change simply made socializing easier and much more natural.
Same question, different answers
One of the research talks we had was conducted by Professor Vasudha, and it led to an interesting realization. It was a research talk on Behavioral Economics
I sat down at my desk, thinking that this would simply be a normal session, but I started having doubts about that when the Professor started handing out sheets of paper. One had questions on it and the other two were sticky notes, one green and one red.
After answering all the questions, the Professor asked us to reveal our answers one by one using the red and green post it notes. (For example, if option A then red and if option B then green).
The reason was soon revealed to be… modifications in the questionnaire. Yes, simple modifications such as using different anchor points, framing the question in another way, or by including social pressure in the question. All of these modifications changed what we were led to believe as our own “rational” choices.
The lecture made me extremely curious about Behavioral Economics. However there was something just as interesting that class. The professor after showing us the results of experiment, asked us what reason could have made the answers varied so much.
Most of the answers agreed with each other one way or another. But sometimes one or two students would pipe up with answers that would make me go “OH! Why didn’t I think of that?”
I observed this not only in this class, but in every situation with an open-ended question. There are average answers, then there are the rare ones. What intrigued me the most was the speed at which you could get so many ideas and perspectives all at once.
I wondered, is this why brainstorming together with people is so effective? Because everyone brings their individuality, their perspective and their experiences to the table to brainstorm towards one solution?
Although in my life I have been taught the importance of generating ideas together with friends, this experience truly made me understand why it is so important.
Enjoying the process over the result
The Talent Show was in my opinion the most disappointing part of the whole summer camp experience. My friends and I decided to participate in the Talent Show, singing and playing the guitar to Night Changes by One Direction.
The performance itself was bland and ordinary. Halfway through we realized the guitar was too loud so I had to go reduce the volume. On the other hand me and my friend’s voices were not heard at all. It was quite the nightmare being on stage singing to a room full of people, and mistakes were bound to happen. Especially with only a few days of practice.
But as I reflect upon that moment now, I don’t remember the disappointment I felt during the performance. Instead, I remember the fun nights that we had practicing for the Talent Show.
My brother and I used to meet up in our friend’s room to practice singing for the Talent Show. We used to strum and sing along to various songs trying to decide which one to perform.
When we were practicing for Night Changes, I made a load of mistakes as it was my first time singing, and my friend had to constantly correct them. Despite the mistakes though, I still remember the joy I felt when we were able to finally sing the whole song in-tune properly. It felt great.
Now as I write this blog, I simply have one question. Would I have traded the fun nights just for one good performance? What would you answer if you were in my position? To me, the answer is very simple, I’d rather choose the fun nights.
Immersive Learning
As a whole, the Plaksha YTS+ experience changed the way I look at learning. Every day I was surrounded by the topic of Data Science, that my mind had no other choice but to understand Data Science.
Especially during the Project days, we had Data Science lectures in the morning and the project work in the evening. No other thoughts and no other distractions.
In homeschooling, I have often jumped between subjects and interests without committing to one. This immersive learning in Plaksha has taught me to focus on a few subjects at a time and immerse myself completely in those subjects.
To conclude
There are many lessons I could have named in this blog post, like how this summer camp taught me how to be independent or how it gave me a college life experience. But I’m afraid if I include those as well, this blog post will be far too long.
These lessons make up the forefront of the experiences in YTS+ that changed the way I think and perceive things. Aided by the fun nights practicing for the talent show, some failed attempts at socializing and observations about people, these lessons were made all the more memorable.