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

When I scored 95.8 per cent in my board exams just to make my mother happy, it only confirmed one thing – my heart lay in physics, not in memorising chapters for school exams. So when it came time for Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling, I was very sure of what I didn’t want – chemistry.

My father discovered the BTech programme in Engineering Physics at IIT Guwahati and explained that it would let me study physics deeply while keeping strong career options open. I didn’t take a second to think – I locked the choice in the first round and never looked back.

Where I come from

I am a 21-year-old from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, a city where I spent the initial years of my life and built every core memory I still cherish. I studied at DAV Koyla Nagar before moving to Kota for Class 11 and 12.

My father is a police inspector with the Jharkhand Police, and my mother was a teacher. She left her job after my Class 10 to move with me to Kota so I could prepare for JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Their sacrifices shaped everything I am today.

Dhanbad still feels like home in the truest sense—every road has a memory, and every corner reminds me of my school friends and growing-up years.

The JEE phase: Challenges and breakthroughs

I appeared for JEE Main and JEE Advanced in 2022. But the journey to that point was not easy. The lockdown struck right after my Class 10 exams, and beginning JEE preparation online robbed me of the momentum and energy that every student needs during the initial months. Things only became real when I finally reached Kota in Class 12.

My toughest subject was chemistry – I simply could not connect with it. So I doubled down on my strengths, physics and math, the subjects that had always made sense to me.

Arriving at IIT: Learning to live alone

I joined IIT Guwahati in October 2022, and although I had lived away from home before, this was the first time my mother was not with me. Instead of fear, I felt pure excitement. I had heard enough college stories from my siblings to know that this phase of life brings unmatched freedom, fun, and growth.

Adjusting was effortless. My roommate was an old friend from Kota, and hostel life instantly gave me a community. The food was “eatable,” as we all like to say, but the friendships formed around mess tables and late-night walks made everything better.

Finding my space: Clubs, photography and responsibilities

In my first year, I joined several technical clubs, including robotics, and Montage Photography. Photography, in particular, stayed with me; even today, I carry my camera everywhere.

But I also learned an important lesson: to grow, I had to prioritise. After my first fest, I realised that working as a fresher was not very fulfilling. I stepped away from most clubs in my second year to focus on internships and applied for a position of responsibility.

Becoming the events head of the Technical Board taught me leadership, time management, and planning – skills I now rely on every day.

How IIT changed me

IIT Guwahati transformed me in ways I didn’t expect. I learned to manage everything – my health, finances, time, academics, and life. Before IIT, I hadn’t washed my own clothes; today, I can run a full life on my own terms.

Most importantly, interacting with people from all over India built a sense of confidence I never had. I learned how to talk to anyone, anywhere —something that played a huge role during my internship and placement.

Campus life: Freedom, friends, and northeast

What sets IIT Guwahati apart from many other colleges is the freedom. There are no hostel in-time restrictions, and the campus is a peaceful, green sanctuary.

My days now are a mix of classes, badminton, gym, long conversations with friends, gaming sessions, and spontaneous tea breaks at Khokha. When mess food gets too routine, I treat myself to the biryani at Lohit Mess.

And beyond campus, Guwahati’s location is a blessing. Being the gateway to the Northeast means weekend trips to some of the most beautiful landscapes are just a short ride away.

Professors, memories, and the Inter IIT moment

The professors I have worked with have been inspiring – especially the one guiding my BTech project. Every interaction feels like learning something new.

One of my proudest moments was participating in Inter IIT Tech Meet 13.0 at IIT Bombay in 2023, where we achieved IIT Guwahati’s first-ever podium finish across all formats.

If I could, I would upgrade the gym facilities and improve the internal transport system—both would significantly improve day-to-day student life.

Managing money and adulting

A remote internship covers my expenses comfortably. I stick to a budget and rely on the fact that most socialising at IIT happens in hostel rooms or at Khokha, the marketplace, near the Faculty Gate, which keeps my costs low. Being placed has also given me financial clarity.

My future after IIT

My path after BTech is clear: I will be joining Rippling in Bengaluru, thanks to a Pre-Placement Offer. I want to apply the analytical foundation of Engineering Physics and the leadership lessons from my time at IIT to work on impactful, cutting-edge projects.

If IIT taught me one thing, it is that I can live, travel, adjust, and grow anywhere. I came to IIT Guwahati as a student – but I leave as an independent adult, ready for whatever comes next.