September 29, 2025: Paper: IOJ
Instructions:
Write a reflective Letter to yourself, either to the person you were 10 years ago or to the person you wish to become 10 years from now.
The letter must be personal yet thoughtful.
It can follow any tone, emotional, humorous, philosophical, poetic, or conversational.
There is no word limit, but sincerity is expected over formality.
The assignment is to be done individually.
Purpose of this activity:
In today’s session, instead of looking outward at news, headlines, or current affairs, we turned our gaze inwards. Each student was asked to step into a different timeline, either revisiting their younger self or imagining their future self, and write a letter that speaks with honesty, vulnerability, and introspection.
This exercise is not merely about writing. It is about archiving emotions, acknowledging growth, and understanding identity through words. In journalism, we often tell the stories of others today; the students have become both the storytellers and the subjects.
Through this activity, we aim to:
Encourage self-awareness and emotional clarity,
Build a stronger individual voice, essential for journalistic expression,
And most importantly, help students realise that every life holds a story worth documenting, starting with their own.
10 comments:
Dear Little Aastha,
I wish you could see yourself from where I stand today. You’ve always been so creative, pouring your heart into every little thing that interested you — whether it was crafting, calligraphy, debating, or simply learning something new. That curiosity became your biggest strength. Even when you doubted yourself, you never shied away from growth.
You’ll be glad to know you scored 88% in your 10th boards. At that time, it felt like a milestone, and it truly was. But what came after was tougher — you chose PCB, only to realize that mathematics and formulas were never your language. They drained you instead of energizing you. And that’s okay, because you learned early on that not every subject is meant to charge your spirit.
In 2023, everything changed. Our parents, with all their trust, allowed us to switch from science to arts. That one decision reshaped our journey. It was not the end but the true beginning. In arts, you bloomed. You debated, you anchored events, you performed in dance dramas, and explored every platform that let you express yourself. Slowly, you found your voice. The same girl who once questioned if she belonged in science started to thrive in an environment that celebrated her strengths.
And here’s the part you’ll smile at — in 2025, you became your school’s topper. The girl who once struggled with equations stood tall as proof that hard work and the right direction can change everything.
But the biggest joy is this: remember that faraway dream in 2023 of getting into Lady Shri Ram College for Women? It felt distant, almost impossible. Yet today, it is real. LSR isn’t just a college — it’s a world of brilliance, creativity, and ambition. Every classroom, every corridor feels alive with voices that inspire. Being here is like stepping into the life we once only dared to imagine.
This journey also shaped how we see the future. You’ll be proud to know that we now want to pursue journalism and psychology together. Journalism will give us the power to tell stories, to reach people, to shape perspectives. Psychology will give us the depth to understand those stories, to study the human mind, and maybe even publish our own research someday. For the first time, the future feels like a canvas — not a narrow lane, but a wide horizon.
Aastha, I want to tell you something important: every struggle, every failure, every change of path will make sense one day. You’ll learn that success isn’t about never stumbling — it’s about standing up each time with more clarity. Your creativity and passion will remain your guiding stars.
So, keep dreaming boldly, keep learning fearlessly. The path is yours to shape — and trust me, you’re doing beautifully.
With love and gratitude,
Your Future Self,
Aastha Kiran
Dear Me,
I hope this letter finds you in a newsroom, a classroom, or a quiet corner of Lady Shri Ram College with a notebook still filled with half scribbled ideas and unfinished leads. Journalism, after all, was never about having all the answers it was about asking better questions.I want you to remember the spark that brought you here: the belief that stories matter, that truth is worth chasing even when it hides behind walls of noise, and that a journalist’s pen can sometimes weigh heavier than a sword. At LSR, you learned that journalism is not just about reporting headlines, but also about listening to voices that go unheard and bringing light to corners often ignored. In 2025 when the media world feels chaotic, fast, and sometimes overwhelming, pause and return to that classroom moment when you first realized the power of the “fourth pillar.” Carry the courage of asking difficult questions, the compassion of telling human stories, and the integrity that LSR’s corridors instilled in you.
Most importantly, never forget why you chose this pathnot for fame or clicks, but to stand as a witness to truth, to history, and to people whose lives deserve to be recorded with dignity.
With hope and grit,
Aakriti Yati
Leh,
24th June, 2035
Dear Chunit,
I’m reaching out to you from a decade down the line, bringing along the insights you’re just starting to grasp in those vibrant halls of LSR. Right now, you’re a Journalism studen,full of wonder, always questioning, and jotting down notes in the margins of your notebooks. You might not yet realize how profoundly this time will influence your thoughts, your perspective, and even your very essence.
I know it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. The classrooms at LSR buzz with energy, filled with confident voices that debate passionately and seem to always have the perfect reference ready to go. You often find yourself doubting whether your voice fits in. But let me assure you it absolutely does.Embrace that discomfort,it’s just growth wearing a different face.
Think back to those mornings when you dash to class, balancing assignments, half-finished editorials, and steaming cups of chai? Those moments are teaching you discipline in ways that grades never could. The newsroom drills, the looming deadlines, and even those nerve-wracking critiques from your professors aren’t there to break you; they’re there to show you that journalism isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being persistent, having integrity, and having the guts to keep asking the tough questions.
Fast forward ten years, and I can tell you that the Department of Journalism at LSR will offer you more than just theories and bylines. It will gift you friendships forged through shared deadlines and laughter. You’ll find mentors whose advice will resonate long after you’ve stepped out of the classroom. Most importantly, it will instill in you a deep sense of responsibility for the truth—the ability to view the world critically while still making room for empathy.
There will be moments when you’ll question whether this journey was the right one, whether those sleepless nights and stressful deadlines were truly worth it.
With Love
To
My younger self,
Today as I find myself sitting at one of the corners of this gigantic red bricked building in the middle of an unknown city (yet the city which appeared the most in my dreams) trying to decide the subject for my assignment, your innocent, child-like face is the one that floats in front of my eyes. You—the eight year old notorious Chandrani, the whimsical, reckless, rowdy Chandrani. I was given the option to choose between a letter to the past or future, and guess what? I chose my past, the past that has made me who I am today. The resilience, courage and confidence, I find it all when I look at you. Even on days where the world comes crashing down on my shoulders, I feel relieved reminiscing about who I used to be and what has led me here.
I am unsure about whether I have made you proud with my life decisions but I can guarantee that whenever I am in doubt, my past has reassured me of goodness, of hope and faith. Seriously, who am I if not a constant yearner of my past, where would I stand without my unending nostalgia? No matter the achievements, the success, my thoughts always trace their roots in your smile. Truth to be told, I miss the carefree human I used to be and how it barely mattered whether anything I did was “cool” enough, because looking back I realise maybe somewhere while trying to win the race of being “better” than everyone surrounding me, I lost the authentic self that you brought to the table. Maybe I have let you down, maybe I seriously failed to preserve everything you held dear with your delicate hands, but you never once failed to continue encouraging me to keep pushing forward no matter how full of hurdles the chosen path seemed. Friendships have been broken, trust snapped, but if there was someone whose hand I have found intertwined with mine regardless of the circumstance, it's definitely yours. And that’s the kind of love which remains irreplaceable for the entire lifetime to come.
You have been my inspiration forever, and shall remain so for a long, long time. Without you I would be nothing but a tangled up mess amidst the innumerable complexities of life. I see you as my clarity, my hope. So, this note is a small piece of thank you from ten years in the future where life has changed drastically yet every night before sleeping my mind reverts back to thinking how I can build myself strong enough to be the worthy human you deserve to be. For you, I am ready to re-do life a thousand times over, because you dear, you deserve only the best, and that I promise to bring to you.
Yours Only,
18 year old Chandrani
The self introduction in 500 words assignment 😊😊😊😊 and about past and future experience also my journey of lsr
By _ kusum Saraswat
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My life has been a journey full of challenges, struggles, and lessons. From a very young age, I faced circumstances that no child should ever have to experience. Both my parents left me, and that absence created deep emotional wounds. I faced mental and physical struggles that often made me feel alone and broken. Yet, those difficult moments did not end my story — they became the foundation of my strength. They taught me resilience, courage, and the importance of having a purpose.
From this difficult past, I discovered my dream — to become a journalist. For me, journalism is more than a profession; it is a mission. I want to be a voice for those who are unheard and to bring truth to light. I want to tell stories that inspire change and hold power accountable. My goal is to become a strong, fearless journalist who uses words as a tool for justice and transformation.
A big part of my journey is shaped by the people who stood by me when I had no one — my guardians. They have played a vital role in rebuilding my life. Their efforts, sacrifices, and constant support have given me the strength to dream again. They always encouraged me to become independent and never give up, no matter how difficult life became. They taught me that my past does not define me; my choices and determination do. Every small achievement I reach is a reflection of their love, care, and belief in me. My biggest wish is to make their efforts meaningful by becoming the journalist they believe I can be.
Joining Lady Shri Ram College is a significant step in this journey. LSR is not just a college to me — it is a platform where I can transform my dreams into reality. The faculty here is deeply supportive and always ready to guide students toward their goals. Their knowledge, mentorship, and encouragement act as wings, helping me rise above my past and focus on the future I want to build. Although my initial experience in LSR has not been as motivating as I expected, and I sometimes struggle with confidence, I know that growth takes time. With patience and hard work, I believe I will find my place and thrive.
I am determined to turn my pain into purpose. My struggles have taught me empathy, my guardians have taught me strength, and LSR is teaching me the skills I need to achieve my dream. I want to make my guardians proud and show them that their endless support was not in vain. I want to become a journalist who stands for truth, justice, and change — someone who inspires others to never give up, no matter how hard life becomes.
My story is not defined by my past, but by the future I am determined to create. With the support of my guardians, the guidance of my faculty, and the strength I have gained through struggle, I will become the strong and impactful journalist I was always meant to be.
Thank you 😊😊
To.... Vertika mam
Jiya Raj
Interlaken, Switzerland
29 September, 2035,
To Jiya Raj ,
Lady Shri Ram College for Women
Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi
29 September, 2025
Dear me,
I hope you are doing great. I am doing good. I am on a very fun trip to Interlaken, Switzerland as I am writing this letter. It's a very pretty place and I am very grateful that I came here. I am wondering what you are doing right now...
I remember this place was on your bucket list for a long time and I am very happy that I have fulfilled almost all of it. But don't worry, now I have many other places I want to go , things I want to achieve and learn new things.
As I look back on my time there at LSR and in Delhi, I feel content that it all worked out 10 years down the line. I remember when I first looked at the acceptance result, I was crying. I was overwhelmed with the thought of moving to a different city all alone. When I finally came to Delhi and started college, everything started to fall in place and I became busy with work. I remember at that time, I was only focused on my future and how things will turn out. It took some time to adjust and get used to my new life but it taught me so much about myself and how resilient I am. I faced rejections and had my ups and downs, but they were the guiding cornerstone of my journey. I am content that I was hardworking at that time as I am now. I still have a lot to grow, learn many new things. And I am happy that you were adamant about getting better, achieving whatever you wanted and you got them!
You have made yourself from scratch and that is what matters. Just keep going and trust the process, it's all worth it.
Yours faithfully
Jiya Raj
By Priya Dey
Dear Future Me,
It’s only been two months since I stepped into LSR, and already it feels like a world full of possibilities. Right now, I’m still trying to figure things out, societies, classes, people but I can’t stop wondering what these next three years will hold for me.
So tell me, how did it all go? Did you find your place in some society that made you come alive? Did you design posters, shoot reels, or maybe even lead a team one day? Did you discover the joy of working late into the night with friends, laughing through the stress while creating something meaningful?
I wonder if you made friendships that carried you through the chaos, the kind that stayed with you long after college ended. Did you spend afternoons on the lawns, soaking in conversations that made you see the world differently? Did you grow into someone more confident, someone who trusted her ideas and wasn’t afraid to take up space?
And after those three years, what path did you choose? Did you chase journalism, dive into media, or find a different way to tell stories? Maybe you discovered something unexpected about yourself and followed that instead. Are you still creating whether it’s through writing, visuals, or something entirely new?
Ten years later, I hope you’re proud of the choices you made. I hope you’ve built a life that reflects not just ambition, but also kindness and creativity. And I hope you still carry a piece of LSR with you, the courage it gave you, the friendships it blessed you with and the dreams it pushed you to dream even bigger.
With love and curiosity,
Me
Dear Mansi,
I am writing it to you from the year 2035. Ten years have passed, and as i look back , I can't help but smile at the version of myself you are right now . You are full of questions, sometimes anxious about the future, but also quietly determined to keep moving forward. I want you to know - you were stronger than you believed.
Every small effort you made has built the foundation I'm standing on today. Trust me LSR was one of the best decision u ever made . I still remember your 2025 self - caught up in whirlwind of college life. The lectures, the practicals, the hostel mess food and those endless assignment - you sometimes wondered if it all even mattered. But let me tell u , it did. The very pressure you felt in 2025 shaped the resilience I have in 2035.
Love,
Mansi
Dearest Nibedita,
You may know me well—too well in fact, or I might also seem like a complete stranger to you. The Nibedita, who is eight, almost nine years old, is braver, stronger and more lively than I remember myself being. You believe that the world is your oyster and that nothing, not even classmates who tear out pages of your exercise notebook and make absurd rumours about you, can stop you from achieving what you want to achieve.There will be days in the future which seems distant where you will feel that the world is against you, and that nothing is ever good for you and some people may make you think that you deserve to suffer for the choices that others have made; to that I will say, there will come a day when your life will turn upside down—something that you hadn’t been able to even fathom. You wouldn’t become an archaeologist like you had hoped you would be, neither would you be the astrophysicist or engineer Baba wants you to be, but you will be someone who is aware of herself, someone who did not let circumstances bury her in them.
Cherish your brother more, and listen to Ma more. Be more attentive towards them and I hope you do not close yourself off.
Always with you,
Nibedita, who is 18
Dear Future Self,
I made it to my dream college LSR and got the course I wanted, Journalism. I was so nervous and worried about my score and whether I would get into LSR or even a top college. I had opened the CSAS website anxiously and my anxiety transcended into joy and excitement. Though I do get worried as to what my future holds. I desire to be in the media line, a creative, a filmmaker or a content writer. I wonder whether I would actually achieve my goal or just never start or fail. I do hope 10 years down the line, I am at a place where I am happy and fulfilled with the work that I'm doing and not regretting my decisions.
By Aadhaya Mahajan
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