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Journalism of Courage
– Riya Agrawal
I am a sophomore at IIT Bombay, pursuing a BTech in Civil Engineering with a minor in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Hailing from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, my journey to IIT has been one of persistence, grit, and an unwavering dream to become an engineer at one of India’s most prestigious institutions.
The first time I appeared for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main was in 2022, and despite being a good student throughout school — topping my district in the CISCE board exams — my JEE result wasn’t what I had hoped for. But I wasn’t ready to settle. So, I took a year gap, dedicating myself completely to preparation, and finally earned my place at IIT Bombay in 2023.
My inspiration to pursue engineering stemmed from my love for mathematics and physics and my maternal grandfather, a civil engineer who graduated from IIT Kanpur. I always dreamt of life at IIT, fuelled by countless videos I watched on Instagram and YouTube. I didn’t have a specific branch in mind; I just knew I wanted to be an engineer from an IIT.
My JEE journey began way back in Class 9 when I started attending coaching classes. When the pandemic hit and the coaching classes moved online, I stayed committed, attending long hours of classes each day. However, after my first JEE attempt, I realized that while I had studied everything, I hadn’t practiced enough question papers. That’s when I decided to completely overhaul my strategy. I focused on mock tests, targeting topics that were frequently asked and easy to score. I made sure I practiced three full tests a week and shifted my focus to topics that were difficult but were asked in the exam. I also covered the topics that were rarely asked but were part of the syllabus.
During my drop year, I switched to a new coaching institute and attended every class without fail. I deleted all my social media accounts, avoided studying at home, and immersed myself in the coaching environment, where my teachers were always available to clear doubts. I cut down my social circle significantly — I was motivated solely by the desire to get into an IIT, regardless of the branch.
Ultimately, I chose IIT Bombay over other options, even when I had the chance to pick a top branch at BITS. The brand and charm of IIT Bombay were too strong to resist.
Adjusting to life at IIT Bombay was initially challenging, especially getting used to the food and culture of Maharashtra, which was different from what I was used to back home in Uttar Pradesh. Thankfully, my friends and seniors helped me navigate through the initial hurdles, introducing me to various food spots in and around the campus. It took me over a month to make friends, but now, with a close-knit group, IIT truly feels like home.
Life at IIT has been a journey of self-discovery. From a shy, introverted girl who used to go to bed at 10, I have transformed into someone who can stay up all night, whether working on a project or just hanging out with friends. I explored all the clubs and societies during my first year, attending countless orientations before finding my place in the Fine Arts Club, influenced by my mother, a fine arts teacher. I also joined the IIT Bombay Rocket Team and the Web Team’s technical council, diving into new skills like web development.
The biggest lesson I have learnt here is that work doesn’t feel like work when it’s paired with fun and done by choice. Productivity soars when you enjoy what you do and manage your time well. The essence of IIT culture — “kaam ke time masti and masti ke time bhi masti” — has become my mantra. I love how our hectic schedules are entwined with moments of fun, lovely friends, and seniors who are always there to help, whether it’s academics, social life, or personal challenges.
I am still exploring what I want to do with my BTech degree. I am open to different paths, including entrepreneurship, civil engineering, and AI, but one thing I am sure of is that I want to be a confident and satisfied individual, ready to embrace whatever comes my way with no regrets.
My time at IIT Bombay has been more than just an academic journey — it has been a transformative experience that has helped me become my most authentic self. I have learned to embrace every challenge, celebrate every win, and most importantly, to live fully in every moment.
