Growing up in Balasore, a coastal town in Odisha often hit by cyclones, I never imagined I would one day study at IIT Kanpur. The journey from a small Odia-medium school to one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutes has been anything but straight forward — but it’s been incredibly fulfilling.

The Early Days
My schooling was in Odia under the state board system. The concepts were there, but the language barrier was real — I didn’t even know what “velocity” meant in English until later. In 11th grade, I shifted to a CBSE curriculum and stayed in a hostel to prepare for JEE. That transition was tough. English was suddenly the medium of instruction, and I had to relearn how to learn.

But I stayed consistent. Not perfect — just consistent. That mindset helped me push through, step by step.

Life at IIT Kanpur
When I joined IITK, my first year was online due to COVID. Adjusting to a new academic and social life virtually was strange at first, but once campus opened, I started finding my rhythm. This campus gave me the opportunity to relive the years I missed while preparing for JEE. I picked up badminton and table tennis and I play almost every day now. I got into anime, mobile games, and even sketching.

Balancing academics with personal life has been key. I have learned it’s better to study over three days before an exam than to cram the night before. You remember more, and you don’t panic. Small formular like these have helped me navigate my time here.

Learning by Choice, Not Just for Grades
One thing I have been intentional about is picking electives that genuinely interest me — even if they’re harder. I took a Linux Kernel Programming course just to understand how things work behind the scenes. I would rather struggle through something valuable than cruise through something forgettable.

Some of the professors who have made a lasting impact on me include Prof. Surendra Baswana and Prof. Manek Chaudhuri — their courses taught me how to think, not just what to write in an exam.

Scholarships and Support
I have been receiving scholarships since Class 3. At IITK, I was fortunate to be selected as an Aditya Birla Scholar in my first year. These scholarships have eased a lot of financial pressure on my family. My father is a goldsmith, and my mother is a homemaker. I am extremely grateful to my parents, their support and sacrifices made this journey possible.

Internships, PPO, and the Road Ahead
I got a PPO from Samsung Research and will soon start my career outside India. I don’t have a 10-year plan yet, but I know I want to keep learning. Maybe explore research, publish something, or even create an algorithm that bears my name someday — who knows?

What I’ve Learned
If there iss one thing I would share with students just entering college, it’s this:
The first six months matter more than you think.
The people you spend time with will shape your habits, your mindset, and your future. Choose them wisely.

I am still figuring things out — and I think that’s okay. Growth isn’t always linear. You just need to keep showing up, stay curious, and be true to yourself.