Life in IIT | How this IIT Madras MA student is carving his space beyond the rat race

My parents, both social sciences teachers, raised me in Saudi Arabia, where I spent most of my childhood reading, writing, and dreaming about stories and places far from where I was. I later completed Class 11 and 12 in Thrissur, India, and it was here that I learned about the English Studies programme at IIT Madras. With encouragement from my family and a close friend who joined the same programme I found myself embarking on this journey.

When I arrived on campus in 2022, everyone was adjusting to the “new normal” after the pandemic. Despite the strangeness of it all, IIT Madras soon felt like a place that would push me to grow in ways I had not anticipated. Even though I’d spent my final years of schooling away from home, being here was different. IIT Madras is vast and forested, its expansiveness somehow both comforting and daunting. My first week was filled with solitary walks around the campus as I tried to grasp the extent of the place, the people, and what life here might mean.

Building my circle and finding my rhythm

The early days were a mix of anxiety and excitement. I joined Vannam, our student-led queer collective, and began writing for Article19, the student magazine for DoHSS. I also joined ChintaBAR, a group dedicated to discussions on political, cultural, and social issues. Unlike some other spaces on campus, these groups didn’t seem interested in purely transactional or résumé-based engagements. Instead, they felt like places of real connection, where you could express yourself authentically. Vannam, in particular, became my support system. We organised events and even hosted the first-ever pride parade on campus in September 2023, a milestone that stands out as one of my most cherished memories. Working with Vannam gave me a chance to interact with people who were as motivated and passionate as they were sensitive to the diversity of our shared experience. Through our time together, I found a second family.

While I wasn’t initially sure how well I would “fit” into IIT’s culture, I began to appreciate my space on this unique campus. My daily routine involves early mornings, classes, lots of reading and research, and a rhythm that feels more like my own. I love reading books, watching movies, and spending evenings at Zaitoon, the campus restaurant, where my friends and I meet over tea, discussing everything from film to literature to politics. My friends and I make an effort to support one another, not only academically but as individuals navigating life on a campus that can often feel intense.

A day in my life

My daily routine doesn’t align with the “insti culture” of late-night study sessions and endless networking. I wake up around 6, finish the essentials, and make sure to have breakfast before classes. After lectures, I usually spend time reading, watching movies, or working on my research. Evening tea with friends is a ritual, a way for us to stay grounded and avoid getting too lost in our academic worlds. I make it a point to keep my hobbies—reading books and journals, watching films—as personal pursuits rather than resume points.

I enjoy playing football and table tennis with friends in the hostel, and we often end up at Zaitoon, the campus restaurant, for tea or a meal. Weekends are a time for casual outings, like going to the movies or exploring places outside campus. For me, life here isn’t about joining the rat race but carving out a space where I can grow at my own pace and in my own way.

Growing, but on my own terms

IIT Madras, with all its drive for academic and professional excellence, has helped me better understand the value of carving out a space that is uniquely my own. I chose not to participate in inter-IIT events or other competitive spaces. Over time, I found that while IITs are revered for fostering innovation, I’m more drawn to conversations around critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility. I once took on a couple of PoRs, but I quickly realized they weren’t for me. I’m happier exploring the world of art and literature, discovering how they intersect with politics and culture. I feel no need to be the “ideal” IIT student. Instead, I aim to embody the kind of person who, even within a competitive environment, stays rooted in integrity and empathy.

This journey has taught me that success here doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. It’s about finding purpose and meaning in what I love, which, for me, has been working with friends at Vannam, participating in ChintaBAR discussions, and immersing myself in the creative work I value. In a world that often prioritizes “networking” and “hustling,” I find comfort in choosing to remain close to the forested corners of campus, the vibrant mess halls, and my quiet room. IIT Madras has transformed me, yes, but on my terms and in ways that reflect my beliefs, values, and vision for the future.

Looking ahead

I see myself pursuing a future in research, blending my love for literature, art, and politics with a critical, creative approach. I don’t aspire to become a traditional academic; rather, I want to write, create, and contribute to the arts in a way that resonates with people. The IIT experience has given me more than an academic education — it has shaped my values, strengthened my sense of self, and, most importantly, shown me the importance of carving my own path, even in a space that often demands uniformity.

Through friendships, solidarity, and spaces that encourage a different kind of growth, I have found my way in an environment that initially seemed foreign. The journey has been transformative, and I look forward to what lies ahead, armed with the grounding and resilience that these years have given me.