Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics B.Com Review By Deepika Singh

Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics is a 100 years old institute is known for the values that it holds. The college was started by Britishers and is today one of the best commerce college under the University of Mumbai. Growing up in town I had my eyes set on Sydenham college from a very early age and joined it from the junior college itself. The college building is old, and the campus area is also small but I will ignore all of that as the studies that was the USP of this college was just incomparable to any other college of Mumbai. There are HR’s, NM’s, Jai Hind’s, and many more but Sydenham is at par with all of them. I would though say above par as I have seen the way studies that were done in other colleges. Sydenham gave leeway but not beyond studies and therefore those can stay strict with themselves should only join this college.

The classrooms are still green and black, black boards but the college has not just stayed grounded but has made sure that college creates an environment where students can concentrate only on studies. Mumbai has a lot of things that can distract but the college didn’t just extend the college hours but also made sure load the students with study materials beyond syllabus so that we have to equal exercise after back home as well. What else can we expect as the college is known for the traditional way and yes it did feel like I am still in school just that I don’t have to wear a uniform.

The faculty of the college is more experienced than our age itself. I was 16 when I joined the college and 80% of the faculty had more experience than that for sure. The stories that they shared about the college and the history that has gone behind making this college the best in town was so heartening. Saying they are the best would sound so want to be and therefore I would rather say that more power to the powerful faculty of this college.

The placement cell Sydenham College was in place and did things in their capacities but could only get a few of us placed. Among the prominent recruiters were JLL, Lodha Group and Raheja Group among others. The real estate has found their favorites in Sydenham as the college is known for its economics faculty. The pay package that was offered was good enough as most of the students were hired as sales officer and therefore their future was in their hands. I thought had my sight clear as I have to do post-graduation as well and that’s what I did. Not just me but most of us took that option as that was the only way to get a job in Mumbai.

The college does have a boys hostel and that is reserved only for students coming from other states and outside Mumbai. The students had to provide bonafide certificate to get accommodation at the hostel. The boys were provided accommodation at the Government college hostel which was located right behind the college building. The girls were provided accommodations at Savitribai Phule Government Girls Hostel and Telang Memorial Hostel. Those who required hostel facility had to apply for that and after screening and interview the students were provided the hostel as they had limited capacity and the students applying were more.

The college campus is small as there’s just one main building and a little open space to find seating on the campus. The college’s main building 2nd floor has a huge library that has all modern and classical books. It also has a seating area and one can study there after college hours presenting their Ids. Inside the campus the college has made a gymkhana that has a proper gym, and indoor sports facilities like carom, and table tennis. On campus there’s also a volley ball and basketball court as well. The college has a space reserved for its students at the Oval Maidan in Churchgate. The students who are into sports are encouraged and are provided facilities to go and express themselves on the sporting fields. The ground floor of the building has a canteen that opens early in the morning and is opened till late in the evening. In addition to that college has a conference room and an auditorium as well.

The life at the campus was so fun that even though I did my post-graduation from Welingkars I missed my days at Sydenham. Many prominent personalities like Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Hrithik Roshan, Milind Deora, and Deepak Parekh among many has been an alumnus of this college. I had a lot of fun at campus and gossiping about our nearby colleges such as H.R. and Jai Hind among others. The college was highly secured for girl students and I felt absolutely secured at the campus. Even the outsiders issued no complain of bad treatment and I will have to say Sydenham was my second home during my teens.