Transitions are the one and only constant phenomena that go on without fail in everyone’s life. However, some transitions can be too much to accept while others flow right into the ocean like they were meant to be and that’s the inevitable journey of life.
Meet Hareesh (name changed), a 24-year-old master’s student at IIT Kharagpur.
Hareesh is from a small town in Maharashtra. Due to his father’s government job, he moved frequently, attending various schools throughout his childhood.
He completed his graduation in engineering in Maharashtra and after that worked in an IT firm for a year. His passion for further education motivated him to prepare for the entrance exam, which eventually landed him in the master’s program at the prestigious IIT Kharagpur.
Hareesh’s family is an essential part of his life and he shares a strong bond with his parents and brother. Though his brother left for another city for his education, the family is close-knit and supportive of each other.
“I love to play cricket and read books as reading is one of my favourite hobbies. Despite my hectic internship schedule, I try to read at least twice or thrice a week. I also volunteered for an NGO, which was a great experience.”
Hareesh learned about YourDOST from his college, which partners with the organization as their official mental health partner. Here he met his counsellor who became his mentor for the days to come.
“Initially, I had a lot of negative notions about the concept of a counsellor, but at the end of the session, I was shocked at how comfortable I was with my therapist. She asked me questions, listened to me, and I felt valued.”
The primary reason Hareesh sought counselling was the significant change he experienced by moving from small village schools to the competitive and alien environment of an IIT. This cultural shock left him feeling different and overwhelmed.
“Everything was quite different from what I was used to. The way people talked and interacted, and the competitive atmosphere were a lot to handle. I thought if there was an option, I should seek help from someone experienced. So, I decided to have a call because I wasn’t confident and comfortable in the initial days of college.”
Through multiple sessions, Hareesh discovered that his present feelings had roots in his past experiences. This realisation came as a surprise since it wasn’t something he initially considered.
“Before the sessions, I thought she would ask me to work for eight hours a day and give big assignments, but she asked very little things of me, like being grateful for the small things. I used to complain a lot, but she made me realize the importance of gratitude. She also taught me to take deep breaths when feeling incompetent or afraid and to practice mindfulness daily.”
Hareesh noticed positive changes after about the third or fourth session. However, a one-month break for exams and a visit home disrupted his progress, but surely he is getting back on his routine.
“I want to thank her for listening patiently. She didn’t provide direct answers but asked impactful questions that made me look inside my mind. I’m grateful for her empathy and understanding, especially as she didn’t judge me for my failures.”
Hareesh rates himself a 4 out of 5 in terms of feeling better and sees improvement as a positive change.
We at YourDOST are confident that Hareesh is on his way to hitting that golden 5 mark and wish him luck in all his future endeavors!
Hareesh’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Don’t pay heed to unsolicited advice regarding therapy. Do what makes you happy.”
2.“Think about yourself because, at the end of life, what matters is your happiness. Everything else is secondary.”
3.“Don’t be afraid of others’ judgments. Just go ahead and book a session.”
