Victoria Institution (College) B.A Review By Ankita Paul

Coming from Kendriya Vidyalaya School, I found the atmosphere and in general vibe of Victoria Institution (College) a bit dull and depression that lacks a competitive spirit. I had to take admission in this college due to my low score in Maths which brought down the total score. Due to my high score in English I was selected in the first list itself and got impressed by the English Department and the faculty, the only thing I appreciated about the college. My class lacked learning attitude, except for a few who were really keen to participate in every group activity and extract the most out of our Professors. If you are interested in English Literature, you should take a chance in applying to this college as the department and Professors are really good. However, do not expect much from the college administration, college fest, cultural activities, and in general attitude of the students.

I took admission in Victoria Institution (College) in Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in English. The admission was based on Class 12th marks (Overall and subject specific). The college releases a merit list by doing an average of both the marks (overall and subject specific). After your name is shortlisted in the merit list, you will be called to submit all the documents and to choose your Pass subjects (which in my case were: Pol Science and Journalism). Note: The faculty for Journalism was good but it could have been better with students being more serious about it. It was an interesting subject and the Professor I had, taught us skilfully that it developed my interest but the college spent so little on its infrastructure.

We had four Professors in our English Department. I do not exactly remember their background but one of them was pursuing her MPhil degree at that time. Uma Ma'am, our HOD, she was looking after the History of English Literature (Old Age period to medieval), AB Ma;am only used to give us notes (I found that kind of weird and I hated taking notes), and the other two professors took care of Philology, Shakespeare Drama, and Poetry. They taught us beautifully. Usually, I refer notes to make my own answers rather than mugging those up which Calcutta University doesn't appreciate much. I faced the consequence of it and talked to my Professors so they have helped me immensely to come up with my answers that aligns with CU answers.

My College was an Institution also that means there is a Victoria School beside our main college building. The campus is quiet small with a flower garden in the middle of it. In front of the main building there is the hostel beside which the second building is located which conducts the teaching of all the pass subjects. The staff room and the Principal's room is also there in the second building. We also have a small auditorium beside the garden and a common room situated in the main building. I feel the infrastructure was quiet haphazard with no planning at all and is congested.

It will be difficult for me to write 50 words on Campus Life as it was non existent. There was hardly anything in the common room. And they used to conduct one annual program in which students were disinterested to participate, except selected few. The crowd was dull and there were hardly any engagement activities.