As honours year draws to an end, a mixture of emotions well up within me. This has by far been one of the most trying years of my University life – physically and mentally. Whatever it may be, subsequently tiding over the bad moments allows one to come out more polished and undeniably stronger. After all, even a piece of coal requires years of pressure and harsh conditions to emerge in the form of a diamond – nature says it all.
Being my first research experience proper, I was initially highly apprehensive about what to expect from a research lab. Being the bottommost rung of the ladder (below the phD and masters students), it was harsh, often painful. As with every organisational structure, the bottommost rung inevitably gets stepped on and treated unjustly. It was then I realised that lab dynamics were far from an easy game. In lab you need to prove yourself in terms of your capabilities, your passion and your drive. Many a times, the harsh treatment chipped at me (because I wear my heart on my sleeve), but I never held grudges. If I had, I would not be standing here today, appreciative of every single person in lab. In one way or another, each of these people has played a role in making a difference to my life – be it via hurtful remarks or kind words. And each of these people was sent by God for some purpose.
It was all worthwhile at the end of the day – skipping meals, the late nights at lab alone, the minor accidents (I am thankful I have not grown an extra toe yet), the eye strain, the backaches, the harsh comments; the list goes on. But I am also deeply appreciative of the people I came to know and the quirky incidents every now and then which made my day. As a whole package, this has been one rollercoaster ride of emotions which remain forever etched in my brain.
