— Harshit Tomar
My interest in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) didn’t start very early. Back in school in my hometown, Delhi, I only knew vaguely that IIT was something prestigious. It was after interacting with a few IIT alumni and seeing some of my classmates prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) that I started thinking seriously about it. Their stories inspired me, and with encouragement from my sister and family, I decided to aim for IIT.
JEE preparation
I first appeared for JEE in 2021, but I could not clear it. That was tough, but instead of giving up, I took a drop year and prepared again. Most of my coaching happened during the COVID-19 period, so a lot of it was online. It wasn’t easy – limited interaction with teachers and friends, and constant uncertainty – but it also gave me time for self-study. For breaks, I used to play badminton near my house, though even that was restricted at times. Finally, in 2022, I cleared JEE Advanced and got admission into IIT Guwahati. I chose the Chemical Science and Technology branch because it matched my interests, and I preferred IIT Guwahati over newer IITs, which are still developing. I also had options like IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur.
My days at IIT Guwahati
When I joined IIT Guwahati in 2022, it was also my first time living away from home. Surprisingly, the transition was smooth. I found friends from Delhi, including my roommate, and that made things easier. The food and culture were new but manageable. Over time, I got involved in campus life – I joined the Coding Club and later became its Cybersecurity Head. I also contested elections out of interest in hostel life, and today, I am serving as the General Secretary of the Hostel Affairs Board. Balancing studies, leadership roles, and projects has been challenging, but it has taught me time management and given me a lot of confidence.
My daily routine
These days, my routine mostly revolves around lectures, BTech projects, and responsibilities as a student representative. Evenings are usually for badminton or catching up with friends at the food court or hostel canteen. I also enjoy video games to unwind. One of my best experiences here was representing IIT Guwahati at the Inter-IIT Tech Meet in IIT Madras, where our team secured fourth place in a cybersecurity challenge. Competing with students from across IITs was a great learning moment for me.
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Future plans
Looking ahead, I plan to pursue an MBA after completing my BTech. I feel it will help me combine my technical background with managerial and business skills. The toughest period in my journey so far was during COVID-19, but it taught me resilience and how to adapt to difficult situations. That lesson, I believe, will stay with me long after IIT.
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