— Alok Raj

The idea of cracking the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and getting into an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) never really struck me until my elder brother planted the seed in my mind. He was my biggest inspiration – the one who believed in me even when I didn’t fully understand what I was aiming for.

Coming from a small city, Buxar, Bihar, the world of IITs felt distant, but my brother made me believe it was possible. He sacrificed his own comforts to ensure I got the best education possible, pushing me to dream bigger. He is now aiming for government service and, therefore, preparing for competitive exams.

My journey started in Class 10 during the Covid-19 lockdown. With schools closed and everything shifting online, I took matters into my own hands. I completed my Class 10 syllabus in just five months and immediately began studying Class 11 topics. Online coaching became my primary learning source.

When I entered Class 11, I was highly disciplined – studying 12 hours a day with zero backlogs. However, a family function disrupted my routine, and catching up became a nightmare. Backlogs haunted me for months, even into my drop year. If there’s one thing I learned, it’s this: never let backlogs accumulate!

Hoping for a more focused environment, I moved to Patna for offline coaching. But the reality was far from ideal. The PG I stayed in was filled with students who were more into entertainment than studies. Slowly, I found myself slipping – I started watching YouTube Shorts, movies, and comedy shows, wasting valuable time.

One day, when my father sent me money, it hit me – I was squandering his hard-earned income. That realisation changed everything. I left Patna, returned home, and restarted my online coaching. But I had developed an addiction to movies. For months, I watched two movies a day, unable to break free.

Then, in September 2022, I snapped out of it. I forced myself to focus, covering most of my syllabus in one go.

I appeared for JEE Main in 2023, but my performance was disappointing. Determined to do better, I moved to Kota and joined Allen for rigorous preparation. The journey was tough – some mock tests shattered my confidence, but I kept analysing my mistakes, and learning from them.

Just days before JEE Advanced, an unexpected hurdle hit me. I injured my fingers in my right hand, making it painful to write. Despite the pain, I attempted the exam, struggling through each question. I cleared JEE Advanced, but the injury left me wondering how much better I could have performed.

When my results came out, I faced a tough choice – should I pick a better branch at a lower-ranked college or choose IIT Bombay, even if it meant taking Environmental Science and Engineering? After speaking with cousins studying at NITs and IISc Bangalore, I realised that at top IITs, branch matters less – opportunities are open to all. So, I chose IIT Bombay, and I haven’t regretted it for a second.

I am now a first-year Environmental Science and Engineering student at IIT Bombay.

Stepping into IIT Bombay felt surreal. Everything here was different from the rigorous preparation phase – it was vibrant, exciting, and full of possibilities.

I was surprised by the quality and variety of food here. Unlike what I expected, the mess food is actually good, and therefore I don’t miss home much. I worked as an organiser for E-Cell and am now a coordinator for our department’s annual fest – Tatva.

My daily routine is a mix of classes, lab work, and fun with friends. We often explore Mumbai at night, returning in the early morning. Sometimes, we hike to Sameer Hills for sunrise. The freedom to go outside whenever we want is something I truly appreciate.

Academically, IIT Bombay is intense. The curriculum is challenging, but the resources – state-of-the-art labs, experienced professors, and interdisciplinary projects – make learning exciting.

IIT Bombay isn’t just about academics. The campus has a vibrant student life, with clubs catering to every interest. I am still exploring, and so I have not enrolled in any club yet. I might join a fashion club (Style Up) in the coming days.

At night, the campus transforms into a different world – students discussing philosophy, playing LAN games, or simply enjoying chai at Amul or Infinite Corridor. And yes, last-minute exam preparation is a tradition we all follow.

Before IIT, my only goal was to crack JEE Advanced. Now, I am exploring different fields to find my true passion. Startups, research, finance, consulting – IIT Bombay offers endless possibilities, and I am excited to see where life takes me.

To all aspiring IITians out there – stay disciplined, avoid distractions, and never let backlogs pile up. Hard work and perseverance will take you further than you can imagine.

Life at IIT is a dream, but the journey to get here is what truly transforms you.

Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More