My goal as a student of Mass Communication And Journalism was to become a successful media professional. However, I eventually felt that the obsessive pursuit of my goal was preventing me from developing more skills. I was desperate for a sense of fulfilment and to upskill but the lack of time and resources was really nagging at me. That's when I discovered that ISBJ’s curriculum comprises programmes offered by the MIT School of Holistic Development. Although they are an additional credit, let me tell you, they're an absolute game-changer.

The program's emphasis on the five parts of an individual—physical, emotional, mental, intellectual, and spiritual—resonated strongly among students and especially the ones like me who were desperate to upskill. It felt like my college opened a door for me, a door that led to endless possibilities. For example, the physical kosha training helped me form healthy habits that increased my energy and sharpness. This fresh outlook was key to meeting my course’s requirements and chasing news coverage. The courses on emotional kosha were just as transformative. I developed an improved feeling of poise and mental strength by learning how to control my stress and build wholesome relationships. This proved to be extremely helpful in managing deadline pressure and maintaining focus in the face of the newsroom's chaos.

Here's how the SHD program, even as an elective, significantly impacted my journalism journey:

• Sharpened Focus and Emotional Resilience: BAJMC is a course that comes with inherent stress and emotional demands. While I absolutely love working and live for the adrenaline and fun, I do tend to get overworked from time to time. The SHD programme taught me stress management skills and emotional intelligence, promoting inner peace. This increased resilience enables me to meet deadlines, handle sensitive themes with a cool head, and establish connections with sources. By properly controlling my emotions, I am able to listen carefully, ask insightful questions, and offer a safe space for sharing stories, all of which are necessary for success in this fast-paced and demanding industry.
• All inclusive Development: The SHD programme goes beyond just theory. For example, physical kosha practice was not just meditation. It included exercises that improved my endurance and general well-being. This new physical strength proved invaluable during long shoots and fieldwork, allowing me to keep up with the demands of on-the-ground reporting.
• Well-Rounded Development: The SHD gym classes also recognized the value of physical strength and introduced me to workouts that helped me gain stamina and focus. This increased enthusiasm was really useful during lengthy days of study and interviews.
• Enhanced Communication Skills: The curriculum provided additional classes in foreign languages, which expanded my horizons and communication abilities. Imagine being able to communicate with a broader range of sources and audiences using language! This comprehensive approach to learning promoted a sense of equilibrium and opened the door to new narrative opportunities. Although the SHD programme was an additional course, it became an integral part of my academic journey. Be it the Kosha training, the drama classes, the foreign languages course or even the physical training sessions, they transformed me from a stressed-out student chasing deadlines to a fulfilled person with a new passion for storytelling. If you want to improve your journalism or other studies and become a more effective communicator, this might just be the missing piece.