University is supposed to be a temple of knowledge, a place where minds grow, personalities develop, and future leaders are shaped. But in many campuses, something else grows silently- a toxic senior-junior system. Some seniors start thinking that just because they have spent more time on campus, they are superior. They do not see themselves as mentors; they see themselves as rulers. Slowly, experience becomes ego, and ego becomes domination. When a student becomes a senior, they know the classrooms, professors, shortcuts, politics, and the system. But instead of helping juniors, some use this knowledge to show power. Why does this happen? Because power- even small power, can make someone feel big. When seniors make juniors stand, greet them, follow useless rules, or ask permission for small things, it is not respect they want, it is validation. They start thinking, “We suffered, so they must suffer.” Respect must be demanded, not earned. Seniority means authority. This thinking creates a fake god complex where seniors believe they are above others and juniors are below. But seniority is only time- not talent, not wisdom, not character. For many juniors, university is the first time away from home. They come with dreams, fear, and hope. When they are treated as inferior or mocked, it affects their confidence, mental health, studies, and self-expression. Some juniors stay silent because they are scared. Some show fake respect just to survive. Some slowly lose their voice. Then after some time, the same juniors become seniors and repeat the same behaviour.
Fear is not respect. Fear is temporary; respect is permanent. When juniors fear seniors, they obey in front and laugh behind. But when they truly respect someone, they remember them even after graduation. Real leadership is not control, it is support. A real senior protects juniors, guides them, helps them in studies, supports them emotionally, and allows them to grow. Leadership is service, not domination. The reality in many campuses shows this clearly. One junior was studying in the cyber library when a senior came and said, “This is our seat.” When the junior refused, the senior called his group. Suddenly five people were standing there. There was no rule, no booking- only pressure. The junior left because he wanted peace, not a fight. Another junior was talking to his female friend when a senior came and mocked him in front of her, trying to show power. It was not discipline; it was insecurity. In another case, seniors followed a junior on purpose- whispering, watching, creating pressure. When he talked to other boys, they interfered, asking, “Who are you talking to? Know your limit.” When the junior questioned something wrong, the answer was, “Who are you to question us?” followed by a warning. This is not mentorship. This is insecurity acting like power.
University is not a feudal kingdom; it is a place of learning. Seniors should remember their own first-year fear. Juniors should understand the difference between guidance and exploitation. Universities should promote real mentorship, not informal power groups. Hierarchy based on experience is normal, but hierarchy based on ego is dangerous.
In the end, no one becomes a god by entering second or third year. A degree does not give divine authority. A true senior is someone around whom juniors feel safe, not scared. At the end, everyone leaves campus with only memories. The question is whether those memories will be of fear or of inspiration.