From Student to Author: A Journey of Change and Impact
BY RIDDHIMA SEN
Every student’s journey is unique, shaping not only their academic growth but also their personal development. As students evolve into professionals, some choose the path of writing and authorship, using words as a tool to inspire, influence, and bring about change in society. This questionnaire is designed for Riddhima Sen, who is both a student and an author, to reflect on how her journey as a student has shaped her writing, and how her work as an author can positively impact society.
- How has your journey as a student shaped your personality and outlook on life?
Answer: My journey as a student has shaped my personality and outlook on life to a massive extent .Having been a good student throughout my life somehow , it was not until class eight that things took a sudden turn . From a section topper to an academic failure , out of the blue , it was really difficult to believe in myself again . But , somehow , believing that I could actually do it , even though it may take time , I kept on working hard . After a few years , from grade eleventh till second year of college , academic progress has seen both ups and downs .
2.What are the key challenges you have faced as a student, and how did they influence your path as an author?
Answer: As a student , the key challenges I have faced included dealing with academic pressure and learning how to multitask while studying different subjects consequently at the same point of time . My path as an author began with grade twelve , when I published my first book after publishing writeups online in grade eleven . Writing needs multitasking and focus . The hardest obstacle however was ADHD . Focusing on a particular subject consistently for a longer span of time was initially very hard , but I learnt how to adapt by listening to music and meditating . Be it writing or academics , focus , rather laser lens focus is really important .
3.In what ways do you think the student experience helps in developing creativity and storytelling skills?
Answer: Well , the student experience helps in developing creativity and storytelling skills . Learning about english language , and scurrying through texts in order to understand how a narrative structure should be conjured is very crucial . A free school environment helps in enhancing furthermore creativity and storytelling skills . A specific memory is particularly that of writing creative essays since childhood . The idea of how to spend money if u get a lot , or getting stuck in a chocolate land , somehow enabled me to imagine more , beyond boundaries . Creative writing was even an undergraduate course in my college , and the reading of texts of Comparative Literature helped me to explore more complex and new ways of storytelling .
4.How do you balance the roles of being a student and an author simultaneously?
Answer: Balancing the roles of being a student and an author simultaneously is cumbersome , yet absolutely worth it . During semester prep times , working on books and anthologies is a way too bit difficult . A book takes a lot of dedication and time , and while focusing mainly on books , it is difficult to manage . Dividing time and making proper schedules for time management is really very helpful , to be honest .
5.Do you believe students can inspire society with their voices and perspectives? If yes, how?
Answer: Well , yes , students can inspire society with their voices and perspectives . My friend started his own NGO in grade eleven , and one of my other friends got recognition for social work . The former began during the covid times , when the entire country was witnessing human death on a massive , extensive scale . I myself have seen people being impacted via my books, somehow. Students are the future of the society , the roar against injustice .
6.What kind of themes or social issues do you aim to highlight in your writing?
Answer: Themes and social issues I aim to highlight in my writing include social norms , ills and the treatment meted out against women in general . Gender injustice , be it males or females suffering , is a good prospect too .
7.As an author, what changes do you think literature can bring to society?
Answer: As an author , I strongly feel that literature can bring change to society . As they say , the pen is mightier than the sword , and sometimes a single book can lead to a revolution within an instant .
8.Who or what inspires you the most in your journey of being both a student and an author?
Answer: Well , the main inspiration is Ruskin Bond , the renowned author . Reading his books since childhood , I got inspired to write more and solely focus on creativity and art from a passionate perspective .
9.How do you see your writing evolving as you grow personally and academically?
Answer: While growing personally and academically , my writing has evolved – from a mainstream perspective towards a very ignored , marginalized , new perspective .
10.What message would you like to give to young students who also aspire to become authors?
Answer: Well , for anyone who desires to become a writer in the future , just keep pushing forward . Managing both the aspects will be difficult and tiring , but not really impossible . Failure will come , as with my first unpublished anthology in grade eleven , but it will go away as well , surely . Persistence is the key to success .
