I am a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Bioengineering branch of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi). I come from Lucknow, but my roots in this journey began in Kanpur, where I studied till Class 10 at KDMA International. I then completed my Class 12 from Lucknow Public School.
From an early age, biology always fascinated me – probably because of my father, who is a veterinary doctor. Watching him work sparked a curiosity in life sciences, while my exposure to Artificial Intelligence and Data Science during my JEE preparation deepened my interest in blending biology with computation. These interests came together in the form of Bioengineering, a field I am lucky to now be pursuing at IIT Mandi.
From taking a drop year to making it to the IIT
I first appeared for JEE Main and JEE Advanced right after my Class 12 in 2021, but the results didn’t meet my expectations. So, I took a drop year and reappeared for JEE in 2022. During that drop year, I prepared on my own using online resources, standard books, and mock tests. It wasn’t easy – many of us isolate ourselves from social life, miss birthdays, celebrations, and even our hobbies. But I now tell aspirants that they should not cut themselves off completely. These moments won’t come back. Balance is key. As the saying goes, ‘Success is important, but so is the journey. Don’t lose yourself while chasing your dreams.’
Coming to IIT Mandi in November 2022 was my first time living away from home. Initially, I missed the homemade food, my old friends, and my younger sister, whom I am really close to. But everything changed once I found my tribe here, friends including Ayush, Aryan, Vishal, Dhruv, Harsh, Vivek, Vibhu, and Shreyansh. My first semester became one of the most memorable times of my life – late-night project building, hackathons, competitions, and shared laughter.
My campus life – location, peer group, clubs and professors
Campus life here is different from other colleges, and not just because it is nestled in the Himalayas, it is the people that make it special. The peer group you find in an IIT inspires you in countless ways. When someone in your circle goes for an internship, course, or competition, it pushes you to think, ‘Hey, maybe I can do that too.’
Outside academics, I got involved in several clubs – drama, design, Sysadmin, and the Kamand Bioengineering Club. These clubs allowed me to explore areas I’d never tried before and contributed to my personal development. It wasn’t easy balancing academics and club work, but the environment here teaches you to manage your time and push your boundaries.
The professors here are incredibly supportive. One moment I’ll always remember is when our Japanese teacher joined us in a student-organised ‘Glow in the Dark’ paint-art event. That role reversal, where we were the teachers and she was the student, was unforgettable. Another moment that stuck with me was when I missed the campus bus and a professor offered me a lift to the academic block – it was a small gesture, but it truly showed how approachable and kind the teachers are.
How has IIT Mandi transformed me
Life at IIT has transformed me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I have learned leadership, time management, teamwork, and resilience. But perhaps the most important lesson I have learned here is that everyone is confused.
It might seem like some people have it all figured out, but most of us are just trying to find our path. So, once in a while, ask yourself if you enjoy what you’re doing. If the answer is ‘somewhat yes’, keep going. Try out different things – because you don’t want to leave college with regrets.
In my second year, I participated in the Inter IIT Cultural Meet as part of the Dramatics Club in ‘Nukkad Natak’, and we secured the second-highest score. Later, I led our contingent, coordinating teams, managing logistics, and learning leadership in a high-pressure but fun environment.
A typical day at IIT Mandi
My typical day involves morning classes, lab work, and assignments. Evenings are for friends, club events, or walks. I don’t play any sport, but I do enjoy watching anime and movies, and going on treks around the beautiful hills that surround us. We hang out at the Village Square, the hostel rooms, play foosball or table tennis, and snack at campus canteens. My favourite food to binge on here is siddu, a local Himachali dish.
I support my expenses partly through teaching assistant roles and partly through pocket money from my parents. And while I love the serenity of our hilltop campus, I sometimes miss the buzz of city life – malls, cinemas, and amusement parks.
Looking ahead, I see myself going for higher studies, possibly in Computational Biology, Genomics, or Neuroscience.
The culture, the food, and the rich history of Lucknow are close to my heart – and yes, I do miss them. But what I miss most is my sister and those late-night food outings. Still, if I had to sum it all up, I’d say that this journey at IIT Mandi has been one of growth, self-discovery, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Divyanshu is doing BTech in Bioengineering Branch of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Mandi (Image designed by Angshuman Maity) 
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