Life in an IIT: ‘Choosing IIT Madras has been my best decision’, a BTech student shares his journey

As I sit in my third year at IIT Madras, I am reminded of the journey that brought me here. Growing up in a small village in Telangana, I was fascinated by construction and dreamed of becoming a key player in planning and decision-making. Unaware of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and their vast opportunities, I joined the science stream after Class 10 with the goal of pursuing a BSc degree after Class 12.

My journey began with JEE Main and JEE Advanced in 2021. It was my first attempt at both exams, and I cleared JEE Advanced, securing admission to the BTech program in Civil Engineering at IIT Madras. My academic background was not typical of an IIT aspirant. I scored a 9.7 CGPA in Class 10 and 97.4 per cent in Class 12, but I didn’t have any formal coaching for JEE. Instead, I relied on the guidance of my teachers at TSWRJC (Telangana Social Welfare Residential Junior College) JP Nagar, who motivated me to take JEE and made me dream of IIT. My junior college started JEE coaching that year, and I used online resources and past papers to prepare for JEE Advanced.

Despite not having the best percentile in JEE Main, my seniors and school teachers encouraged me to appear for JEE Advanced. I was initially disappointed, but their support helped me stay focused. After clearing JEE Advanced, I felt it was the best decision of my life. The opportunity to meet former IIT Delhi Director V Ramgopal Rao in my village in 2022 was a surreal experience, and he even shared a post about me and my family on his social media handle.

Adjusting to life in the IIT Madras campus was challenging, especially since I had never lived away from my family before. I struggled with communication skills and had to study more than my peers to keep up. However, making friends and finding the right peer group made things easier. During my initial days, I had to adapt to a new approach to studying, as my school days’ habits didn’t translate to good marks in IIT. I learned to face failure when I failed in two subjects in my second year, but it also taught me the importance of perseverance.

The campus has its perks, with plenty of places to hang out and explore. I used to travel with friends around the city during my second year, but now I’m focusing on my placements for the next session. The most important lesson I’ve learned at IIT is that scores, rank, branch, and category don’t matter once you’re in. Everyone starts from the same page, and it’s up to each individual to write their own story.

I’ve made friends from diverse backgrounds, and the exposure to various opportunities has broadened my perspective and understanding of the world. I’m part of a few communities, including the civil engineering cooperation, which has instilled a sense of responsibility and motivated me to become a better person. The professors at IIT Madras are supportive and helpful, providing me with a huge opportunity to develop as a person.

Looking back, choosing IIT Madras has been the best decision of my life. It’s a journey that has taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, failure, and the importance of seizing opportunities.