Studentspeak

While colleges have shifted their cultural calendar,which traditionally came alive in October-November,to January to accommodate first-semester exams,sports activities have taken a hit as most major tournaments happen at the year-end.

“The participation of first-year students is low as they have exams in November and they can’t miss a year for the sake of competitions. When semesters come into effect for second and third year,it will be worse,” said Dr Anju Luthra,HoD-Physical Education at JMC.

Tournaments like inter-university competitions are scheduled for November,clashing with the semester exams.

“Once all batches move to the system,we will probably have a hard time putting together an inter-university team,” said Dr Benu Gupta,HoD-Physical Education at Kirori Mal College.

The participation of first-semester students in ECA also dwindled this year. Vishesh Tyagi,who heads the NSS Unit in Hansraj College,said: “We enrolled 200 first-year students when the session started,but by the time internals and first-semester exams approached,only 80-100 remained.”

Divija Rajkhowa,director for stage play productions at the IP College Dramatics Society,said academic stress had taken a toll on enthusiasm for activities outside the classroom. “My actors and crew from first semester are always tense about their studies. Many have left as they worry it will affect their exams,” Divija said.