Walk on

By Suzanna Sardar Masih

Studying in the University of Karachi has its perks, from the sumptuous food at PG to various extra curricular activities, the unscheduled cancellation of classes and not to forget the inexpensive transport courtesy the university point service. The incredible university has something to offer everyone from the studious and regular students to the laid back bunkers.

Being the largest university of the country KU boasts an area of over 1,200 acres. Needless to say that the 24,000 plus students that are enrolled at the university have to commute long stretches of roads usually on foot to reach their respective departments some situated at the farthest and remote corners of the university premises.

With classes starting as early as 8.30 or 8 in the case of Ramadan it can be a real pain to travel (read suffer the English and Urdu version both) from far across the city in overcrowded buses to reach the university and then walk along another long endless road to your respective department. If it happens to be really far away as is the case for the huge numbers of students of the Department of Mass Communication and UBIT they usually end up getting late and missing almost half the lecture.

The university does run a shuttle service early in the morning for students but that isn’t always enough as the shuttles are full to the brim with students hanging out precariously from the doors thus many have to be left behind. Despite all this the students brave the long walks and the blazing heat to get to their lectures on time. Perhaps a more feasible solution would be to run a shuttle at regular intervals throughout the day which would really facilitate the students and save a lot of us from years worth of tanning in just a day! Hey don’t judge you all worry about it.

Even with this little snag KUrians are the most spirited and enthusiastic students you would find. After all student life is a treasure and we do make a lot of fond memories on these very walks (I happen to have met my best friend on one of these). After graduation memories will be all we have (and a degree hopefully!). So for now, whether you are a frantic walker trying to get to your class on time, have missed your shuttle or are casually strolling around the university just for fun, enjoy the ride and walk on.