Cliques

When I was in college I was able to relate to the film 'Mean girls' a lot. The reason was very simple. It was because of the closed groups or cliques.

Several Hollywood teen and young adult movies show that in high school or in colleges there are students divided into various groups. Each group will have their signature characteristics. They will have similar lifestyle. Their interest areas would also be similar. Generally the groups are formed when the individuals met each other and found similarities. Once the group is formed then there would rarely be any modifications. Seldom anybody from the group leaves or new member is included. But mostly once the group is formed then it almost remains the same till the end of academic life.

I personally experienced this profoundly during my college years. I was a part of group where in all of us were from middle class family background and we all were studious. But let me also tell you about some of the cliques that I encountered.
Artists: this group would include all types of artists. Students who are interested in art, craft, music, painting, and hobbies would be a part of this group. Somehow in early 2000 the typical dressing sense of this crowd would be like bohemians. They would dress shabbily. The requirement to join this group was that one needed to be into art and not studies.
Wealthy students: this group as the name indicates would only have wealthy students. They would be children or a grand children of rich businessman or some of them also where generation wealthy. Money would be the least priority for them. Their top priority was comfort and luxury. They did not mind spending money on themselves or others. They would come to the college in chauffeur driven cars. They would wear clothes from luxury designer. They would go on vacation to exotic foreign destinations. The requirement to drawing this group was wealth.
Studious/nerd/geek: I belonged to this category. In this group the students were interested only in studies and nothing else. There are focus was to successfully gain the degree and get a job. Most students from this group were from middle class. As compared with other cliques this group was little welcoming towards outsiders.
Party group: this group either was independent or a subgroup of the wealthy group. This group would be interested in party than studying. There whole conversation would be around when and how to party. It was expensive being a part of this group.
Lovers: this type of group was the most infamous group. Each member of this group would have one or multiple love engagements. Either they would engage in the activities within the group or outside of the college. This group would be the fuel for the gossip around the college.

During my college years when I came across various groups I definitely felt that joining any group during the academic year is completely impossible. Unless you are a part of the group from the beginning they would be no way to crack their circle. Each group would ensure that no outsider is entering their circle of trust.

In one way or other I feel that in student years, finding the right circle for themselves would definitely shape how their future would be. Because often the way group acts or works would shape how they perform during their academic years. I was grateful that I was able to find like minded people who wear interested in studies and nothing else. I believe that because of finding the right group I was able to achieve success in the academic years and later during my career.