Inside a student’s life of academics, entrepreneurship, & sports | Life in an IIT

My hometown is Bikaner, Rajasthan – a city filled with warmth, heritage, and simplicity. I was born and brought up there and completed my entire schooling in Bikaner.

Also Read | Life in an IIT | How IIT Guwahati is turning a physics lover into a confident engineer

I miss the calm evenings of Bikaner, the simplicity of life, and the warmth of the people. My fondest memories are of evening “gedi” rounds with my friends and the unbeatable food — samosas, kachoris, and sweets that Bikaner is famous for.

My mother is a science school teacher, and my father works as a senior manager at the Punjab National Bank. Their values of hard work, discipline, and humility have always guided me.

Growing up in a smaller city like Bikaner, I often had limited access to advanced resources and competitive environments. Preparing for exams such as JEE required a lot of self-motivation and belief in my own potential.

Similarly, in sports and extracurriculars, balancing academics with training and participation was challenging. Looking back, these challenges shaped my personality.

My JEE preparation journey

I prepared through a local coaching institute in Bikaner. My preparation involved long hours of classes followed by self-study sessions. There was a lack of dedicated mentorship, which I experienced, so talking to a lot of IIT graduates and scavenging a lot of resources online helped me a lot.

The biggest challenge I faced was managing all three subjects simultaneously, while staying consistent and not getting overwhelmed by the results. Learning to focus on the process rather than the outcome was difficult but rewarding. It taught me patience, discipline, and the importance of self-belief – lessons that continue to guide me.

Choosing IIT Guwahati and my branch

I am currently in my fourth year of BTech. in Civil Engineering at IIT Guwahati. While filling my preferences during Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling, my priority was getting into a reputed IIT, preferably the old IITs. I chose Civil Engineering because it kept doors open for future options such as the Engineering Services Examination and other interdisciplinary opportunities.

Other branches I considered included Chemical, Mechanical, and Production Engineering, in other IITs which were closest to my rank range.

My schooling and early achievements

I studied till matriculation at Sophia Senior Secondary School, where I was always academically inclined and consistently among the top performers. I stood first in my school and third in my district in my Class 10 board examinations.

Alongside academics, I actively participated in sports, representing my school in district-level table tennis and basketball tournaments, and later competing at the state level for basketball.

My first days at IIT Guwahati

I came to IIT Guwahati in October 2022, right after Diwali. It was indeed my first time living away from home. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as I left for campus that night. It truly marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

The beginning was magical. The campus was beautifully lit up with Diwali decorations, and the first few days were full of new experiences – from meeting my hostelmates who helped me drag my suitcase to discovering the campus corners. The mess food seemed fine at first (until it didn’t!), but what really helped me adjust was the friendships I made. Late-night study sessions, movie nights in hostel rooms, and endless conversations in lobbies made the transition easier and memorable.

Clubs, activities and campus involvement

Yes, I was very enthusiastic about exploring all that IIT had to offer. I joined multiple clubs — starting with the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell), where I became part of the Udgam team (IITG’s Entrepreneurship Summit) and later went on to become a Head in my third year. I also joined the Finance and Economics Club and the Rhinos, the Basketball Club.

Most of my day in the first three years was spent attending classes and working in the E-Cell, where I led initiatives related to entrepreneurship, projects and the Lecture Series at Udgam. Evenings are my time to unwind – I love going for a jog around the campus or to the gym. In my leisure hours, I enjoy reading books – especially those related to fiction and business.

Initially, managing academics alongside these activities was tough, but gradually I learned to balance both. The experience helped me develop strong time-management and leadership skills. I realised that being consistent allows you to enjoy everything IIT offers.

How IIT Guwahati shaped me

IIT Guwahati has shaped me into a far more confident, independent, and self-aware individual. The freedom here to experiment, lead teams and explore new ideas has transformed how I approach challenges. I have learned that failures are just a part of the learning curve and that growth begins outside your comfort zone.

The biggest lesson IIT taught me is that consistency outweighs talent – small, persistent efforts every day lead to big outcomes.

Hangout spots on campus, sports and hobbies

Our favourite hangout spots are Khokha and the Food Court, where we grab snacks or chai while catching up. Sometimes, we sit by the Academic Lake, which is incredibly peaceful, especially during sunsets. Chai and Maggi at Deka, or a cold coffee from Purabi — they are comfort food for every IITG student!

I play basketball and table tennis and have represented my hostel in inter-hostel tournaments. Recently, I also tried powerlifting, which was both challenging and rewarding. Sports have been a big part of my life, and I am extremely keen on trying new sports frequently.

Life in Guwahati and at IIT Guwahati

Guwahati’s natural beauty is unmatched – the greenery, lakes, and the calm yet lively vibe make it an ideal place for reflection and growth. The locals are warm and welcoming and extremely helpful, adding to the charm of the city.

Our professors are brilliant and deeply passionate about their fields. I particularly admire how they link theoretical concepts to real-world problems, which makes learning more meaningful. Some of the most inspiring moments have been post-lecture discussions, especially in an elective course regarding foreign policy where I really enjoyed the inter-state discussions since it is a relatively new and intriguing topic for me.

Opportunities and exposure at IIT Guwahati

Every college adds value to a student’s journey, but IITs – especially the older ones – offer an unmatched ecosystem of opportunities. Whether it is research, startups, or extracurriculars, IIT Guwahati encourages curiosity and initiative. Personally, being part of E-Cell allowed me to intern with startups and participate in programmes like NEW GEN IEDC, which sparked my interest in entrepreneurship and venture building.

Sometimes, students selected for prestigious national or international competitions face clashes with exam schedules. I feel a more flexible academic policy in such cases would help students pursue these exceptional opportunities without added stress.

My finances and independence

In my first two years, I received a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 from my parents. In my third year, I began interning with some startups and other firms, which gave me both financial independence and valuable professional exposure. Most of my spending goes on food and daily essentials.

My future plans

After completing my BTech, I see myself working at the intersection of finance and technology, ideally in a fintech firm. I’m also deeply passionate about the startup and venture capital ecosystem, and I aspire to work in VC someday to understand how innovation and entrepreneurship can be scaled sustainably.

Some of my fondest memories are small, simple moments that ended up meaning a lot. Back in the 10th standard, my Physics teacher, Lata Ma’am, always encouraged curiosity beyond the textbook. She would often say, “Don’t cram the textbooks, learn to understand,” and she used to make us perform tiny experiments. That approach sparked my love for learning — something I carried into my JEE preparation and college life.

At IIT Guwahati, I’ve had equally memorable experiences. I still remember the first time our hostel group collectively stayed up all night before an exam — half the time we were studying, and half the time laughing at how little we had studied. The sense of camaraderie here is truly special.

The local people of Guwahati have also left a lasting impression on me. During my early days on campus, a tea stall owner in Core 5 would greet us with a warm smile and say, “Chai bina kaam nahi chalega, beta,” and offer extra chai because my friends and I were regulars, grabbing food between the classes — small gestures that made the campus feel like home away from home.

And perhaps my favourite memories are from E-Cell — those long brainstorming nights before Udgam, when we would be huddled around whiteboards, surviving on coffee and lohit dosa post every discussion, trying to perfect every last detail. In those moments, between laughter and work, I truly understood what teamwork and friendship mean.

I believe IIT Guwahati has not just been a college but a journey of growth — academically, personally, and socially. It has taught me the importance of curiosity, consistency, and community. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that every day here teaches you something — sometimes through success, often through struggle, but always in a way that helps you evolve. And that life becomes a lot easier with your friends by your side.