Lucknow: With no uniforms to wear, no school bells to follow and no heavy bags to carry, undergraduate freshers at Lucknow University embraced their first day on campus on Tuesday as a vibrant entry into adulthood.The day marked the beginning of the academic session for first-year undergraduate students.“I loved the feeling of coming to university without a uniform. We made reels, clicked pictures and our bags felt much lighter than the ones we carried in school,” said Ananya Sharma, a first-year BCA student.For many, the day was also about discovering corners of the campus that could soon become part of their daily routine. Canteens emerged as a favourite hangout, while the Tagore Library drew students eager to explore one of the university’s most iconic landmarks.“I was nervous at first, but meeting seniors made things easier. They told us about classes, campus life and the best places to hang out. The chole samosa at Moti Ram Canteen is amazing,” said Radhika Katiyar, a first-year BSc chemistry student.The first day also carried a sense of nostalgia for students who had grown up listening to stories about the university from their parents.“It feels special knowing that my parents studied here too. Now I am beginning my own university journey at the same place. My parents have also increased my pocket money to cover travel and food expenses,” said Adina Khan, a first-year BSc biology student.Raanya Siddiqui, a first-year BCA student, said she had seen pictures of the Tagore Library before joining the university, but visiting it in person was a completely different experience.“Seeing the manuscripts, rare books and the original copy of the Constitution housed there was fascinating. The building itself has so many beautiful corners that you naturally want to stop and take pictures,” she said.“The Arts College was one of my favourite places because its walls are filled with colourful artwork reflecting Lucknow’s Nawabi culture. It does not feel like just a college building; it feels like a piece of the city’s history,” said Vaani Singh, a first-year fine arts student.(PHOTOS BY AJAY KUMAR)
