What I Learned at NFSU: Reflections from a 2024 Postgraduate

College life isn’t just about lectures and exams—it's about figuring yourself out, one messy, uncertain, and sometimes surprising step at a time. As someone who’s walked the path and just stepped out of NFSU with a postgrad degree in 2024, here’s what I wish someone had told me earlier:

You Don’t Need to Be Everywhere

There’s a lot of pressure to join every society, attend every event, and stay involved in a million things at once. You don’t need to. Find what excites you, what feels meaningful, and commit to that. Quality over quantity always wins.

Grades Matter, But Skills Matter More

Yes, CGPA is important. But don’t build your entire self-worth around it. Writing well, communicating clearly, leading people, organizing tasks—these are the skills that’ll open doors in the real world.

Let Go of What No Longer Serves You

Not all friendships will last, and that’s perfectly okay. Some people are meant to stay for a chapter, not the whole book. Learn to be okay with that. Keep moving.

Your Timeline Is Yours Alone

Some people get jobs before finishing college. Others take a year to figure out what they want. Don’t rush your journey just because someone else looks like they’re ahead. You’re not behind—you’re on your path.

Talk to Strangers

Sounds weird, but seriously—speak to people outside your group. Seniors, juniors, people from other departments. The best insights often come from unexpected conversations.

Try, Fail, Learn

Take risks. Try things you’ve never done before. You’ll mess up—and that’s where the learning happens. That’s how you’ll discover what really drives you.

Mental Health Is Non-Negotiable

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to step back. What’s not okay is ignoring your mental health for the sake of ‘pushing through’. Seek help. Take breaks. Protect your peace.

Start Building Your Network Early

Talk to alumni. Reach out to your professors. Help your peers. Opportunities often come through people, not job portals. Invest in your network now—it pays off later.

Stay Curious

Keep learning. Whether it's a new subject, a creative hobby, or something unrelated to your field—it expands your thinking and keeps you sharp.

The Most Important Advice: Stay Humble

Don’t act like an expert just because you’ve done a few internships or attended a few conferences. Especially in forensics—India is still developing in this space, and there’s a lot we don’t know yet. Respect the experience of your seniors. Listen more than you speak. Stay curious, not cocky.