Chapter 1: The Start of My University Adventure

When I first laid eyes on the university's massive building, I was taken aback. Confusion washed over me as I tried to navigate this unfamiliar environment. Thank you for taking the time to read my experience; I hope it offers you valuable insights.

Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Muhammad Amir Mushtaq, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Intelligent Systems and Robotics. For a long time, my interests and aspirations felt misaligned with my career prospects, leaving me anxious about my future. After completing my pre-medical education, I faced the daunting task of establishing my place in society.

I spent an entire year grappling with the decision of what path to take, during which I even opened a grocery store. My relatives in the village often teased me about my venture, and the pressure was overwhelming. Despite the challenges, I managed to visit two prominent universities in Pakistan. I applied to TUF University online, and while they responded positively, I initially thought my admission was based on merit, only to realize it was a private institution. This realization left me feeling disheartened.

TUF University is located in Faisalabad, and during a visit to my cousin who had completed an MPhil in Agriculture, I decided to explore the area. Armed with a bicycle, I set off alone to The Faisalabad Agriculture University. I was astonished by the large number of students but soon discovered that their admission session had already closed. I also reached out to UOL, but my financial constraints proved to be a barrier.

I even considered applying to foreign universities, though I lacked a passport and the necessary documentation. Each day, I worked hard in the fields, facing countless lectures about why I hadn't pursued a career in medicine. The pressure from my parents was heavy on my shoulders.

Chapter 2: Family Pressure and Self-Doubt

My family often scrutinized my choices, and their comments added to my stress. The societal expectations weighed down on me, and I often felt trapped in my own mind, contemplating my future. Some relatives even labeled me a failure for not meeting their standards, and it was particularly disheartening when my fiancée expressed her concerns about my status.

However, amidst this turmoil, a conversation with a university graduate motivated me. He enlightened me about the opportunities in emerging professions. With renewed hope, I secured admission to The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, where I aspired to study Artificial Intelligence, despite my perceived inadequacy in that field.

Interestingly, the same program I was admitted to was chosen by the graduate who had encouraged me. He reminded me that my medical background might not align well with Intelligent Systems and Robotics. Thanks to my high academic performance, I secured a seat with a merit score of 91.92%, having achieved 1011 out of 1100. If you doubt my claim, feel free to verify my roll number: 517280, Multan board.pk. The admission date was October 10, 2022.

Chapter 3: The First Day of Classes

On October 12, 2022, I attended my first class. The main campus of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, known as Baghdad ul Jadeed, is quite distant from the city. The university provided transportation, which I took to reach the main campus. It was quite a challenge to locate my department, and I felt exhausted after wandering through the sprawling campus.

Finally, I found my classroom, where Sir Syed Abdul Rahman Rizvi was teaching. He appeared to be in excellent health. After confirming my presence, I took a seat to begin my studies. The classroom was fairly simple, with fewer students than I had anticipated. The professor started with a lesson on circuits, and I arrived a bit late. He kindly warned me about my tardiness, which made my heart race.