The Gates I Entered, The Person I Became.......

 After completing twelfth grade, the next phase of my life was graduation—three years of studying, learning and discovering the subjects I loved from a much broader perspective. On the very day of my twelfth board result, I had to answer repeatedly , to my relatives and well-wishers as to which college I would be joining next. My elder brothers and sisters had only one piece of advice: “Enjoy these three years. They won’t come back again.” I didn’t quite understand what they meant back then but today, I do.

After 15 years of schooling under ICSE and ISC board, college hunting began. Very often my mom would share her student life adventures at Loreto Convent and my urge to join a convent college became stronger. Soon I explored almost every college in North Goa but South Goa was yet to be explored.

After a long search I finally reached Carmel College of Arts, Science and Commerce for Women at Nuvem. On entering the college campus I could feel the positive vibes. The calm, serene atmosphere made me feel that I belonged to this esteemed institution. A week later, when again I returned to complete the formalities of admission, I was warmly greeted by the then Principal, Sr. Aradhana, holding the prospectus and an interim application form for me. Her soft spoken nature captivated my soul.

 Very soon, an email arrived confirming my admission.

With the roll number FYBA-2018-108, I walked through the gates of Carmel, ready to explore and fly high.

From dressing up as William Shakespeare for Ma’am Roxana’s birthday to participating in Bonderachi Passoi was a matter of great pride for me. I still remember reciting and enacting “All the world’s a stage”.For an English Literature student, that very moment brought out the Shakespeare that was within me.Perhaps my most significant discovery at Carmel was to unearth the writer within me.

Somewhere between précis, summaries and running notes, I often filled the last pages of my notebooks with scrappy pieces on random topics. It was none other than our very own, Sir Brian who discovered the hidden talent in me and motivated me to maintain a separate book and continue with my writing spree. That little encouragement became a turning point for me to start creating blogs. I am grateful that the writer’s bug in me was unearthed in those classrooms of Carmel College.

My first year at Carmels also brought about another memorable feat . I was selected to present a paper at an event called Epiphany. The topic was “Reviving the Ethos of Indianness: A Teen’s Perspective Through Indian English in Poetry.” Ma’am Glenis was and still is my biggest cheerleader, as without her guidance this feat would have been impossible. Looking back, presenting a paper in my first year was quite an ambitious beginning — clearly, I had decided early on that simply attending college was not going to be enough!

WordSup 2019 at St. Xavier’s, Mapusa, was another unique experience for me. Without the guidance of Ma’am Ashwini, I wouldn’t have been able to shine in the events I participated in. These experiences gave me the confidence to step beyond the classroom and discover how much more there was to learn, create and express.

The years that followed brought GALF, Pegasus, Mock Parliament, Carmelsparx, Carmelnite, excursions to Usgalimal, Chandor and Loutolim. Along with countless lessons and memories I even received my first-ever medal at Pegasus, where our team stood second at the Globe Theatre event.

And how can I forget Ma’am Rossie, who managed the co-operative store? That store was our go-to for anything, be it treats and munchies to ISA papers and stationery. It was, in many ways, our little student survival centre — because between classes, activities and assignments, one never quite knew what emergency the day might bring!

Then came our final year, shortened by COVID-19. Our batch became the first TYBA batch to experience online examinations, a rather unexpected piece of history.

Five years later, on 7 February 2026, I walked through the gates of Carmel once again. This time, I wasn’t a student with a TC in hand. I returned as a published author, as TROVE was released at the very place that had helped me grow and perhaps discover my true identity.

A lot had changed. But the welcoming spirit of Carmel had not.

As my alma mater celebrates 60 glorious years, I look back with immense gratitude. Carmel gave me more than a degree. It gave me memories, experiences, friendships and, somewhere along the way, a writer.

Once a Carmelite, always a Carmelite.