Introduction
How is geography incorporated into a student's day-to-day activities? At first glance, the answer seems straightforward. Geography is represented by maps, mountains, rivers, climate, and places. However, if we analyze the subject more deeply, we realize that geography is involved in every aspect of the life of students.
From the moment they leave home until the moment they come back, students’ lives are affected by geography. Distance, location, weather, transportation, population density, environment, and technology also belong to geography. For students pursuing higher studies, choosing a Top MA Geography College can further help them understand how these geographical factors shape everyday life.
Let us learn a typical day of a student and see what geography is hidden here.
7:00 AM – A Morning Starts with Weather
Every day starts with one of the most important geographical factors – weather. Students check the temperature or weather information on their smartphones before leaving home. If the weather is hot, students wear light clothes and take a bottle of water. If it is raining, they take umbrellas. In winter, they wear warm clothes..
This decision shows how the elements of nature can affect people's acts. Temperature, rain, humidity, wind, and sunshine can change our daily habits.
8:00 AM – The Trip to School
The trip to school is yet another example of the significance of geography.
Depending on the time, distance, condition of the road, availability of transport means and traffic jams, students may walk, cycle, take a bus or taxi or even travel by air. Some students who live near their school can walk, while those living farther away have to use public transport.
Traffic delays can extend people's travel time. Still, the choice of routes also requires geographical considerations. Navigation instruments of digital maps and GPS programs utilize spatial information to make it easy to find the way.
9:00 AM – Geography and School Life
Arriving at school, the student finds himself in a specific space structure designed for learning. The geographic organization of the campus presupposes distribution and arrangements of the buildings and services necessary for students’ studying.
A campus can be understood as a small geographical system where people, buildings, roads, open spaces, and natural features interact with one another.
Availability of shade or trees plays a crucial role in the choice of seating for students during breaks.
10:00 AM – Classroom Experiences
Any geography lesson is more visual through academic learning. The students can learn about population, climate, urbanization, agriculture, resources, GIS, environmental issues, or regional development during the class.
However, geography does not exist only in books. Discussion on climate change can relate to the temperature students experience outside. Learning about urbanization can relate to the development of their city. While learning about transportation, they may think of their everyday travels.
Thus, geography links the knowledge gained in class with the real world.
12:00 PM – Lunchtime
Geography appears once again where least expected—in the students' plates at lunchtime. Food is affected by climate, soils, agriculture, culture, and transport. Rice, barley, vegetables, fruits., spices and dairy were produced in accordance with climate and economy from one region.
Food served in college canteen can correspond to the local and regional dining traditions.
So, every meal has its geography—starting from the fields.
1:00 PM – Technology and Digital Geography
Today's college students have access to advanced geographical tools right in their pockets. Smartphones offer access to maps, GPS, weather information, geo-backed services, and information about routes.
With their smartphones, students can easily look for nearby restaurants and classrooms and share their location information.
The advancements in GIS, GPS, satellite imagery, and digital mapping have changed the way we perceive and interact with places.
In this sense, geography has left printed maps behind and gained its place in the digital age.
2:00 PM – Environment in the Campus Area
When walking around the campus, students can see trees, gardens, bodies of water, trash bins, drainage systems, and green areas.
These elements belong to the area of environmental geography. A green campus can help provide shade, fight heat, purify air, and give students a better learning climate.
It is very important for the drainage system to work well in a heavy rain, as a poorly functioning drainage can result in a flood.
On the other hand, a well-thought-out drainage system will allow rainwater to flow away from the area and recharge the underground water.
3:00 PM – Friends, Culture and Social Geography
College life does not mean just attending classes and acquiring knowledge. This is also a place of socializing with people from different ethnicities and culture.
Students can be from small and large cities as well as from various states and areas. They have different languages, customs, and food preferences.
This is what we refer to as social and cultural geography of a multicultural college.
It is also because socializing with people from various regions makes the environment interesting and motivating for studying.
4:00 PM – The Way Back Home
When the last class is over, the student prepares to go home. The path might vary hugely from the morning path due to traffic, weather conditions, or availability of transportation.
A quick shower may result in making the traffic slow. There might also be repairs on the road which will require a change in the route.
A crowded bus will prolong the journey.
Evening – Geography Beyond College
Geography continues to play a significant role in the life of the student after he returns home. From online shopping to food delivery, weather apps, social media location services, to digital navigation, all these rely on geographical knowledge.
Even planning a weekend getaway requires geography: Where to go? How long is it going to take? What is the weather? What route to choose? What transport to take?
Geography fills our lives even when we are not aware of it.
In summary, one may think that every day in the life of a college student is quite simple; however, geography is present in many activities that this person does. The weather influences what clothes to wear and what activities to do. Distance and location may shape transport choices. Campus planning leads to the way people move on campus. Climate and agriculture determine what food is consumed. Technologies provide maps and navigation. Environmental conditions help achieve comfort and health. Cultural geography explains cultural differences between people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is geography significant in the life of a college student?
Geography assists students in comprehending their environment, means of transportation,
climate, nature, technology, population, and the relationship existing between human beings
and territory.
2. In what ways does geography influence students’ everyday life?
The distance, location, ways, congestion, traffic, and weather are factors that need to be taken
into account when getting to and from the college.
3. In what way does geography relate to modern technology?
GPS systems, maps, GIS, satellites, weather applications, and services have geographic
information in their sources.
4. What can students learn from watching their college campus?
Students see urban planning, environmental management, land use, transportation, water
management, waste management, and human labor.
5. Will geography be helpful in one’s career?
Yes, geography gives students skills in creating maps, processing data, using GIS, and
understanding human life.
6. What does geography show us in students’ lives?
The main message is clear: geography is not about knowing places; it is about understanding
the interrelation of individuals and places through everything.
Author:
Ms. Shaifali Vijay
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science
Biyani Group Of Colleges,Jaipur