Life in an IIT | From an early interest in engineering to cracking the JEE Advanced

I studied at Allenhouse Public School, Khalasi Lines, Kanpur, from 2007 all the way through Class 12 in 2023. The school and my teachers played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. I come from a supportive family – my father, Mukesh Agarwal, runs a stationery manufacturing business, and my mother, Anamika Agarwal, is a homemaker.

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The JEE journey

I appeared for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced in 2023, right after my Class 12. I secured an All India Rank (AIR) 2472 in JEE Main and AIR 1945 in JEE Advanced.

For my preparation, I joined JEE Experts, a local coaching institute in Kanpur, in Class 11 and continued there until the end. Studying in a joint family came with its own set of challenges – the hustle and bustle of daily life, with younger brothers and everyone preparing for their day, made it hard to concentrate. Thankfully, Manoj Sir at my coaching centre allowed me to study there during the day. I would reach by noon, attend classes from 4 to 8 pm, then return home by 9 pm, rest a bit, and study late into the night – sometimes till 4 or 5 am.

During the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling, my heart was set on Computer Science, and I applied for it at various institutes. However, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence was a newer program offered at IIT Roorkee and IIT Guwahati. After a lot of discussions with seniors and professors, I decided to take the leap – it was a calculated risk, but one that aligned perfectly with my interests.

I am now a second-year undergraduate student (soon entering my third year) at IIT Guwahati, pursuing Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI).

‘Not everything will go your way’: Life at IIT Guwahati

I joined the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati in 2023, and it was my first time living away from home. Coming from a bustling joint family, the hostel life initially felt dull and lonely. But slowly, I found my own little family here. Students come from all across the country, and while it takes time to connect, eventually it feels like home.

There was a rough start – the change in potable water didn’t suit me, and I ended up in the hospital within the first three weeks for glucose drips. But that passed, and I adjusted. The mess food didn’t seem bad at first, and I slowly adapted to the changes.
We had a three-month interaction ban when we joined, so clubs were off-limits initially. Once that lifted, I became an active part of many societies: Lumiere Club (film), Cadence (dance), AnR (Anchoring and RadioG), and later joined the Entrepreneurship Cell. Balancing academics and extracurriculars is tricky – but manageable. I avoid club activities during exams and try to stay consistent with lectures.

One thing IIT has taught me is that not everything will go your way. Unlike school, where life is more controlled and guided, college teaches you to adapt. It’s about persistence, not perfection.

I participated in the Inter IIT Cultural Meet 7.0 held at IIT Patna in December 2024. Representing Lumiere, I took part in both online and offline filmmaking categories. We even won Gold in the online film category – the second consecutive win for our team!

Vaishnavi has a Bachelor’s degree in Kathak as well

Campus life

A typical day begins at 8 am, followed by classes, a break at noon, and labs in the afternoon. I also have a minor in Computer Science, so my schedule is packed. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have National Sports Organisation (NSO) classes in swimming. Post classes, the evenings go into club meetings, events, or if free, I unwind by dancing, playing the synthesizer, or writing.

When we hang out, my friends and I usually chill in our rooms. But Khoka Market is our go-to spot on campus, and in the city, we love Fancy Bazaar.

The faculty here is very supportive, especially in my department. While I don’t have any standout memories yet, they’ve been approachable and understanding.

Compared to other colleges, IITs offer immense freedom. There’s no curfew; the library is open till 2 am. While some colleges still have a 7 pm curfew for girls, IITG believes in equality – something I truly value.

On the side

I handle my expenses with a fixed allowance from home. My favourite food on campus is dosa from Lohit canteen and Maggi with coffee from my hostel – undefeated comfort food!

Guwahati, as a city, has grown on me. It’s close to nature – the Brahmaputra sunsets, the hills, the mix of old and modern vibes. The weather is beautiful, too. However, Kanpur will always hold a special place in my heart. What I miss the most about Kanpur is the sense of belonging – it’s something that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. And, of course, the street food there is unbeatable.

Lake in the IIT Guwahati campus

If there’s one thing I’d want to improve at IITG, it would be the representation of women across clubs and leadership roles. With a 4:1 gender ratio, it’s a work in progress. As the branch representative for my DSAI batch and cultural secretary of my hostel, I have seen change firsthand, and I hope to drive more of it.

On the sports front, swimming is my NSO sport, and I also played badminton in the DSAI Badminton League, where our team, comprising second-year students, took home the trophy.

Looking ahead

After graduating, I hope to work at the intersection of software development and applied AI. I want to build impactful tech products that solve real-world problems – possibly start with a company that focuses on practical innovation and then, maybe someday, launch my own product or contribute to open source.