Stuck between the four walls we call home, we have all been scouring Netflix for something to watch. And, in the last two years, they have released one too many shows on the marriage market.
Enthralled by the grace and beauty of Bridgerton, and bewitched by the colours and traditions of Indian Matchmaking, it is easy for us - the educated and the progressive - to push it off as ceremonies of the past. However, if you look closely, you will see several parallels between the marriage mart and the college rat race - things that seem on opposite ends of the spectrum of life.
Take, for instance, the ludicrous focus on prestige and power. Both competitions have us reaching for the stars - aiming to get into elite universities or vying for the attention of a prince. Both have their "tips and tricks" to be the best, be it crafting a stellar college application or perfecting a faint. And most importantly, both have us being who we aren't. They have us editing our personalities to the extent we fail to recognise the person in the mirror.
In the middle of all the commotion, it is easy for one to lose sight. Picking a university and getting married are choices that will affect a lifetime. It is more than a boost to your social standing.
So when you make the decision, think about which university you'd be excited to attend over Zoom. Or who you'd like to be stuck with - dissecting Netflix shows and bickering over the remote - if we ever have another pandemic.