Gujarati medium schooling to a seat at IIT Guwahati: Journey of a BTech student

Indian Express

13 hours ago

I first heard about IIT when my cousin, who is four years older than I, secured a seat in the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). At that time, I didn't really know much about IITs. When I asked my father, he told me that IITs are the best colleges in India, and only a very small number of students make it through, given the limited number of seats. Listening to him, I was in awe, and somewhere inside me, my ego pushed me to prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). That was when my journey began.
I formally started preparing for JEE in Class 9. I enrolled in coaching classes and used to go to school on weekdays and attend JEE classes on weekends for 3-4 hours straight. Initially, it was hard to manage, but gradually, I adapted to the rhythm.
I am 21 years old and I come from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Currently, I am in my fourth year in the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) department at IIT Guwahati.
JEE preparation and challenges
Coming from a Gujarati-medium school, I was worried because JEE Advanced can only be attempted in English. But I soon realised I wasn't alone – many students were in the same situation.
The toughest phase was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when all classes shifted online. Like many others, I found it difficult to focus, and the negativity around made it harder to concentrate. My family stood by me during that period, and I will always be grateful to them. Thankfully, the exams were postponed by two months, which gave me extra preparation time.
I appeared for JEE Mains and Advanced in 2022 and secured an All India Rank of 1646. I was also a top scorer in my school.
Choosing IIT Guwahati
With my rank, I had some difficult choices. I could take Aerospace at IIT Bombay (a better college but not a preferred branch) or Computer Science at IIT Ropar (a better branch but a newer IIT). I also had options like Electronics and Electrical at IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur, and Electronics and Communication at IIT Guwahati.
After going through the course structures and consulting my seniors, I chose IIT Guwahati. My advice to newcomers is to always weigh both extremes – branch and college – before deciding. Also, never hesitate to fill in your dream options, even if they seem out of reach.
First days in IIT
I first came to IIT Guwahati in October 2022. The excitement of hostel life was mixed with fear and uncertainty. Adjusting meant making new friends, starting with my roommate, then hostel mates, and gradually forming a small group. Like most students, I missed home food, but I got used to the mess eventually.
Clubs became an important part of my life. I joined Techniche, was part of Cepstrum (Electronics and Electrical Engineering student body), and worked with the electronics club, organising events. Balancing these activities with academics often meant sacrificing sleep, but the experiences were worth it.
Life at IIT
IIT has taught me a lot and given me confidence. Meeting new people exposed me to different perspectives, and joining clubs showed me the effort behind every event. I also realised that IIT provides opportunities to develop skills far beyond academics.
In my first year, my routine was packed – labs in the morning, classes in the afternoon, and sports in the evening. By the second year, I was working actively in two to three clubs, spending my time between academics, club activities, and chilling with friends. I also enjoy reading books and writing stories.
There are plenty of hangout spots on campus. I often go to the new Student Activity Centre (SAC) building, walk around the lake, or sit in the hostel common room. I also love cycling at night – during my first and second years, I cycled for 40-45 minutes almost every night.
My professors here are of all types – some are strict with attendance and grading, while others are lenient. But one common thing is that every professor truly enjoys teaching and encourages students who seek guidance.
Experiences and reflections
At IIT, inter-hostel and inter-IIT competitions – be it in sports, cultural, or technical activities – make life exciting. Compared to my friends in other colleges, I feel lucky to have such a vibrant extracurricular environment.
Of course, there are challenges too. Hostel infrastructure at IIT Guwahati lags behind newer IITs, and I wish there were more flexibility to pursue research from the undergraduate level.
I've tried many hobbies – chess, tennis, table tennis, drawing, skating, swimming, and even hockey (which I joined in my first year). The only regret is not being consistent with them. Still, these experiences taught me a lot.
Daily life and expenses
Most of my expenses go into canteen food and outings. Like many students, I dislike mess food, so late-night canteen trips became frequent. We also often went to the city on scooters for movies or dinners.
Despite the expenses, I cherish these moments, the late-night snacks, cycling, and long conversations with friends.
Looking ahead
One important lesson IIT has taught me is to never stop trying. Success may not always come, but regrets last longer than failures. Every decision has consequences, and owning them without giving up is the key.
After my BTech, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in core engineering. I am currently preparing for the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). I believe a Master's will help me strengthen my knowledge and open more opportunities in the future.
IIT has been my guidebook for life so far, shaping me into a more confident, adaptable, and forward-looking person.