Starting your first year at MUWCI – a guide by second years
Starting your first year at MUWCI is the beginning of a truly unique journey — one that blends rigorous academics, diverse cultures, and transformative experiences both inside and outside the classroom. It’s exciting, challenging, and, at times, overwhelming. Who better to guide you through this adventure than the people who have just lived it?
The second-year students have been in your shoes. They know what it’s like to arrive on the hill, meet people from across the world, and adjust to a new rhythm of life. They’ve navigated the ups and downs, found their favourite spots on campus, and discovered what makes MUWCI such a special place to learn and grow.
In this blog, they share 15 tips — from making the most of your time on campus, to academics and embracing life on the hill — so you can not just survive your first year, but truly thrive.
1) Explore, as much as you can, as often as you can.
2) Go on long nature walks with no destination in mind. Discover new paths, routes, and places. You’ll be surprised by the hidden wonders you’d find.
3) Cycle down to the Khubavali river. There’s a different kind of peace in the early morning air with the birds chirping and the splashing water.
4) Don’t worry about academics at all in the first term; focus more on finding friends.
5) Explore as many different trivenis and subjects as possible in the first term because after the first term, you find yourself more stuck in the subjects or trivenis you picked so make sure what you’ve chosen is perfect for you early on.
6) Spend time reaching out to people – the bonds you make here are special. Reach out, lean on, and trust in others. There will always be people ready to walk beside you. You will find your people. You don’t need to chase big friend groups for that.
7) Make time for things you love to do, are passionate about, or just some alone time. It can get a little overwhelming, this time will help you feel more grounded.
8) Go to office hours. It helps. 🙂
9) Take risks, and speak out when you think something is wrong. The campus needs you to be critical, and question systems.
10) Get to know your teachers well, they are your saviours.
11) Make your room your space. Bring things that hold value to you. Put up fairy lights, photos, signs, fabrics, posters – anything that’s your thing.
12) Be yourself. You are not here to win anyone’s approval. You are here to discover a little bit more about who you are, what you value, and what you can do better. Stay true to that.
13) Be compassionate. Be ready for a huge (but positive) culture shock.
14) Packing tip 1: Bring some wall decor to decorate your room, I brought pictures of my family and friends back home and it was a really nice touch to my room.
15) Packing tip 2: Try to bring your own blanket and bedsheets.
These tips are brought to you by Elinor, Meghna, Vaishnavi, Viraj, Sharan (Year 2024-2026)