Episode 7

Rida Fatima, 19, SDP. FRESHMEN, 2024 The pandemic created an unpredictable disruption which left several students confused and doubtful about the future. All of a sudden, what was once considered the ‘norm’ had to be redefined and students all over the world had to grapple with their academic experiences and identity.

One such student shares her experience of balancing online classes with her personal life, while also focusing on self-growth. Rida Fatima, a student from Habib University, describes her experience of living in a different city and still trying to make the most of her university experience, while also using her art to connect with the world and formulate new friendships. Her journey is a relatable one, especially for those students who live far away from their universities and have to adapt to the distance.

“My father is from a village near Chakwal, my mom is from Multan. I was born in Lahore but I have lived most of my life in Rawalpindi. I originally wanted to go abroad but that was before Covid started and so I decided to take a gap year and Habib was the first and last Pakistani university I applied to.”

For Rida, Habib offered a new, hopeful experience: “I was very impressed, I hadn’t seen anything like this before in Pakistan. I had heard from my cousin how amazing Habib was. I had already passed the deadlines for other universities so my application to Habib was my last chance. When I got in I was very surprised.”

“I visited the campus in February for three to four hours. I got a tour and I met people from the recruitment center. My mother was with me and she was really impressed. When I went there it finally hit me that I had made it and I was so glad that I had an opportunity to be there.”

Rida’s on-campus experience was gratifying for her, however, it also left a void, one which made her realize the potential adventures she was missing out on and the incomplete nature of her university life. “I definitely feel like I’m not connected with the university, especially physically. For example, there are always so many events happening at Habib, like different seminars and discussion sessions and I think to myself that if I had the chance to attend them in person I could connect with more people but I can’t really do that.”

Rida’s reflections have become a common, yet, significant concern for students all over the world. On-campus experience remains an integral part of any student’s life and the ease of online classes can never be a satisfactory substitute. However, Rida is trying to come to terms with her situation and remains hopeful about her adjustment and journey.

“The experience really is what it is. With the hyflex structure, I can stay at home and it’s easier for me to take classes online. It takes time to adjust, but I understand my courses and everything is organized on Canvas. I have my own calendar and my own schedule that I can easily follow.”

Rida has also shared how her online experience has allowed her to connect with her family and remain motivated throughout the semester: “I feel more productive while working from home. When I feel stressed I spend time with my family and we can hang out together. If I was in Karachi I wouldn’t be able to do that. I won’t deny that the university experience is extremely important and it has its own charm but I’m trying to recognize the advantages of online learning as well.”

While grappling with online classes and maintaining a balance between work and personal life, Rida has also been using art as an outlet to express herself. Recently she was featured as an artist in an exhibition showcasing female talent. Her experience there allowed her to make more connections and enjoy the immense warmth the Habib community has to offer.

“The art exhibition was a really big event for me. This was the first time my art was displayed for a large public audience. At first only my friends and relatives would see my art but now it was out there for everyone. I was amazed when I got selected. At first, the event was postponed several times but when it finally happened I was ecstatic.”

Since Rida lives in Islamabad, it was difficult for her to transfer her canvases to Karachi but she made the best of the situation and in the end, all of her efforts were worth it because her participation in the exhibition proved to be a monumental moment for her as an artist.

“I had made nine paintings and seven of them got sold. I don’t have words to describe the experience. I’ve never sold my art before and the people I met there were so supportive. Every time I would sell a painting, everyone would congratulate and appreciate me. I felt so at home. I felt like I was amongst the right type of people. They were taking care of me and they didn’t make me feel like an outsider.”

Rida’s interest in art has been going on for a very long time. She started making art as a small child and enrolled in art courses to work on her skills. She experimented with different mediums and worked on creating her own style.

“In 2018 I went to an art school and I enrolled in a one-month course from which I learned a lot. It was all about portrait sketching and they taught this amazing marbling technique which I use a lot and was very popular at the exhibition.”

“The more you practice, the more you get better. Right now I’m really into painting. I personally prefer abstract art but I have also done portraits and marble painting. I have been thinking about growing my work. When I sold my first marble painting the client emailed me and she bought seven more paintings. I’m going to come to Karachi and hand-deliver the pieces.”

There is certainly a bright side to Rida’s story. She didn’t let the pandemic discourage her from growing and making progress as an artist and she still remains hopeful that one day she will get to thoroughly experience Karachi and the university with her friends.

“I am really looking forward to exploring Karachi. I’m really looking forward to trying Karachi Biryani and other local foods. I am also looking forward to making friends and connecting with people. I want to understand the city and the people who live here and once the situation is better I know I will get to achieve these goals.”

Rida’s story definitely demonstrates the importance of perseverance, especially in times of great adversity. It is important to look forward to the simpler things in life and to tackle new challenges with the right attitude and courage. Rida is just one of the countless students who are making the best of their situations and their efforts are truly inspirational.