Freshers' Guide (FAQs)
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Q: What is a tut/tutorial?
It is primarily intended to be a doubt-clearing session, but in the English Honours coursework, it might as well be treated as a period for continuous assessment activities, presentations, and deeper literary discussions. The whole class will be divided into two groups based on your roll numbers.
Q: When do actual classes officially start after orientation?
Usually, classes begin the very next day. Keep an eye on your official departmental messaging groups for the exact starting date!
Q: Are books a "must-have" on the very first day?
Honestly, I do not think anyone will reprimand you if you do not have them on day one. Bringing them or not depends entirely on you as we are adults now (˶ㅠ︿ㅠ) and responsible for our own studies!
Q: Are classes supposed to be from 8/9 AM till 5/6 PM?
No, it entirely depends on your individual timetable and when your specific lectures and tutorials are scheduled.
Q: Do we make our own notes or will they be provided?
You have to make them yourself! Your professors will deliver lectures and share insights, but curating the notes and analyzing the texts is your responsibility.
Q: Do I need to ask "May I come in?" before entering the class?
It is highly advisable to arrive before the professor does. However, if you do get delayed (which I hope you do not!), you should ask politely, or a simple respectful nod from the door to ask permission to enter will suffice.
Q: Do I need to ask for permission to use the washroom?
Of course! It is basic courtesy, especially if a professor is actively teaching a lecture.
Q: Is a laptop or tablet a must-have?
No, you can manage perfectly fine with traditional notebooks.
Q: Can I make notes on a tablet?
Absolutely!
Q: What happens if I fail a paper or get an ER (Essential Repeat)?
Do not panic! You can simply take the improvement or repeat exam for that specific paper the following year alongside your juniors.
Q: Will they detain me or stop me from taking exams if I have low attendance?
In my three years here, I have not seen anything like that actually happen. However, rules can be unpredictable, so it is always better to be safe and maintain decent attendance!
Q: Will taking medical leave reduce my attendance marks?
You can submit a medical certificate. For the utmost certainty, a Government Hospital medical certificate works best! Ask your doctor to issue one, and submit it to the administration with an application. They will forward it to your respective teachers. You may also submit a copy directly to your teachers. In short, if you have valid medical documentation, your attendance should not suffer.
Q: Are previous years' question papers (PYQs) enough to pass semester exams?
They may give you an idea of what kind of questions are asked in exams. However, for a course like English Honours, reading the primary texts thoroughly is highly recommended if you actually want to score well! (Do not worry, it is not that hard.)
Q: Can I choose a GE from a completely different stream?
Yes! In fact, that is the entire purpose of a Generic Elective (GE). As an English Honours student, you can absolutely choose Economics, History, or Political Science to broaden your skill set.
Q: Can we change our GE, SEC or VAC choices after the semester has begun?
There is usually a small window (about a month or two) at the beginning of the semester where the administration allows you to change your subjects. To do so, you may need to contact the relevant GE, SEC, or VAC coordinator, as applicable.
Q: What is the maximum number of societies I can join?
As many as you wish and can reasonably manage alongside your academic workload!
Q: Is joining a society compulsory?
No, it is completely optional. Join them only if you are passionate about the activity!
Q: Will joining societies lower my attendance marks?
Usually, there is an ECA (Extra-Curricular Activities) attendance system. While calculating your total attendance, you may show your teachers your ECA slips. They may either deduct the days you were busy in society work from your total working days (the denominator) and calculate the percentage from the remaining, or they may simply grant you attendance for those days. Keep in mind you generally cannot claim more than two-thirds of your required attendance from ECA. You receive this ECA attendance at the end of the month or semester, signed by your society in-charge.
Q: Do I need prior experience to join cultural societies?
Not necessarily! Most societies hold auditions to gauge your raw potential, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn rather than looking for absolute professionals.
Q: What do we call our seniors?
You can use "didi" or you can simply call them by their names! Use whatever suits you best.
Q: Do my parents need to come on orientation day?
They can, but it is not necessary at all. Also, please note that car parking is not available inside the college campus for students or parents; it is strictly reserved for staff.
Q: Where should I buy my books?
Throughout my three years, I bought them from Bookland in Kamla Nagar, which is incredibly convenient for North Campus students. You may buy from there, or go to any other shop and simply tell the shopkeeper the book title. At Bookland, you just tell them your course and semester, and they will hand you the complete set.
Q: How much do books usually cost?
On average, you will be buying around 10 books per semester, costing roughly ₹2,500 in total.
Q: Where is the photocopy shop located?
It is located right inside the college gate. Around Daulat Ram College and North Campus in general, you will find plenty of reliable shops in Kamla Nagar and Patel Chest for cheap bulk printing and spiral binding.
Q: Where are the famous hangout spots nearby?
Kamla Nagar market, Hudson Lane, and Majnu Ka Tila have various aesthetic cafes scattered nearby North Campus.
Q: What is a Class Representative (CR), and how is it different from a Class Monitor which were there in school?
A Class monitor usually maintains discipline. A Class Representative (CR) in college is the bridge between the professors and the students. They handle communication regarding class timings, cancellations, and voicing the collective concerns of the batch to the faculty.
Q: Is there a dress code?
No, there is absolutely no dress code! Wear whatever makes you comfortable.
Q: Should I bring lunch?
You can! There is a dedicated lunch break, and you definitely will not want to be hungry the whole day.