Actual nostalgia sets in when you recollect your days in school. And among the umpteen days that will be fresh in your memory will of course be your birthday celebrations in school.

But when students enter the 'hep' world of college life, how do they celebrate their birthdays? Do they follow the tradition as in school or is there a whole new trend cropping up?

Says Shruti Sadani, a college student, "In school, I was more interested in what I was going to wear and what gifts I was going to get from my friends and family. It was just about getting a gang over for lunch and it was done. But now, it's more of quality time spending. Even 5 people who matter to me could make my day. Now it's more of doing something exciting or crazy like going clubbing or for dinner or treating myself by getting my hair coloured or cut or getting a tattoo done. Earlier my parents treated me, now I treat myself."

According to Vikram Menon, a student of SASTRA University,"In school I was more subdued and disciplined so birthday parties were at home and my mother used to invite my friends over. But now she gives me money to treat my friends outside. It's become more of a friends' thing rather than a family thing."

And this is how Kailash Venkatesh, a final year student of Anna University feels,"During my school days, it used to be such a great feeling on birthdays. Birthdays meant that I didn't have to wear the school uniform- a special privilege that only my birthday gave me! Apart from that, gifts from friends, however small they used to be, and the chocolate distribution used to be my favourite parts. But when I went into college, it all changed. It's all about late night calls, hanging out in malls and bigger gifts!"

Well, it becomes evident that no matter if you're in school or in college, friends seem to matter the most and a birthday seems incomplete without the quintessential presence of friends, gifts and to some extent family as well! And with a little more spice and magic, today's youth are devising their own techniques of making their birthdays more memorable!

By Rashmi Kumar