Chase excellence, not rank: JEE Advanced topper with AIR 2 Saksham Jindal
When Saksham Jindal began his JEE preparation, his only aim was to give it his best shot. But things changed quickly as he started topping weekly tests at ALLEN and later secured a perfect 100 percentiles in the JEE Main January session.'The real turning point was after JEE Main April, when I got AIR 10. That's when I knew a top rank in JEE Advanced was possible,' he recalls.COVID SETBACK, AND HOW HE BOUNCED BACKSaksham was a district-level cricketer before the pandemic struck. With outdoor sports coming to a halt, he had to let go of his sporting dreams.'It was emotionally tough, but I channelled that energy into my studies,' he says.advertisementEven during JEE prep, he had his low moments. 'When my scores dropped or I felt burnt out, my mentors at ALLEN stood by me. Their belief in me kept me going.'FUEL BEHIND HIS MOTIVATIONWhat kept him steady through the highs and lows? A mix of love for learning, supportive parenting, and the right peer environment.'I've always loved Mathematics and dreamed of IIT Bombay. My parents gave me freedom and never pressured me. The healthy competition in Kota also pushed me every day.'FINDING BALANCE IN THE PRESSURE COOKERDespite the pressure of JEE prep, Saksham maintained a balance.'I believe consistency is more important than long hours. I made time to listen to music, talk to friends, and sleep well. When stressed, I stepped away from books instead of forcing it,' he shares.ALLEN's structure of tests and doubt sessions also helped reduce uncertainty.MENTORS WHO MADE THE DIFFERENCESaksham credits a big part of his success to the support at ALLEN.'The regular tests, study material, and doubt sessions were excellent—but what mattered most was how my teachers believed in me, even when I didn't,' he says.TECH DREAMS AT IIT BOMBAYSaksham plans to join IIT Bombay for Computer Science, drawn by its vibrant tech and startup ecosystem.advertisement'I'm fascinated by AI and hope to build something impactful. I'm also open to research if I find the right area,' he shares.-----'Don't just chase the rank—chase excellence,' Saksham advises.'Bad days will happen, but don't let them define you. Stay connected with family and mentors—they're your biggest strength. Fall in love with learning, and results will follow.'
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