R.D National College...Yup, thats the dull cemented building that stares at your face right in the middle of the Linking road shopping area..(Bandra West). Well, hang on, there’s a lot beneath that look! To begin with the college has a very appropriate and convenient location for the bandra college crowd. It is accessible to bus-stops, railway stations, shopping, eating joints, theatres..and much more. Also the MMK Commerce college is situated next to it. BUT National college lacks a decent campus. It is cramped and boy! does the building need renovation...So, it fails in the looks department (if thats a criteria..for some)..
Now coming to the Academic part of the college. Well National College in the earlier days wasn’t supposed to one of the best colleges..there were incidents of violence, drugs..(so I heard) But as for now, it is safe. This college offers higher secondary and degree courses in Science, Arts and Commerce. I being a Science student here can vouch for the staff at Nationals, which is above average.
However sad but true, if you are a Science student you could only graduate in Physics and Chemistry(Not sure about Maths)...They don’t offer graduation in Botany and Zoology. Due to this most students either forcibly take up Chemistry-Physics in the third year, or change their college after the Second Year, which is what I had to do invariably. I must add that the Physics-Chemistry dept has a upper hand and dominates the Science dept at Nationals..
Teaching and curriculam plan are the highlights of this college. The teaching staff is good and sincere with a few exceptions though! They keep improving with time...Nationals also has the tutorial system with students being assigned to a particular teacher...This makes it easier to ask for help or guidance.
The classrooms, labs are decent enough. The canteen is ok...no great shakes.. With so much outside nobody really needs to hang around in the canteen. They have a good auditorium too. Also a decent bookstore right within the college campus. The college festival is called as the ’Blowfest’ which is a fun event..It goes on for days with competitions and great programmes..
I feel there needs to be a change in administration. Someone needs to seriously fill in the loop holes, starting with a complete renovation...It can do wonders for this reputed institution.
A piece of advice for all those freshers..’You might be a little put off when you first visit this college’, but dont be upset..National has a heart that has good opportunities, a good staff, maybe not a very ideal environment inside, but you’ll get used to it.. .And dont forget to grab a bite of sandwich right outside the gate..whilst you are here!!!