From being propelled by the immersive preparation environment in Kota, to the elation of landing in Computer Science at IITK, my journey has been wholesome, complete, and extremely satisfying. The things I will remember most are the in-between milestones - the late-night terrace conversations, the freedom to go for a walk at 4 AM and feel completely safe, and bumping into friends because we are all of just 500 meters apart.

It’s not one memory. It’s all of it.

Summers, Ideathons, and the Spirit of Inter-IIT
I was lucky to intern on campus during both my second and third-year summers. Being here over the summer was all about long hackathons, spontaneous chai breaks, and getting to know the campus in a slower, more personal way.

One of the most memorable experiences was participating in an entrepreneurship ideation competition. Our idea focused on a challenge I have seen up close: building a better EV infrastructure in India. Our pitch proposed a smarter, data-driven distribution of charging points in cities, battery swap models, and more cost-effective strategies. My family travels extensively - Kota to Kerala, Sikkim, and Kashmir, so this became personal. We honestly didn’t think we would make it to the finals, but somehow, things aligned.

Adjusting to IITK Life - Campus, Community, and Culture
Having always been artistic and involved in numerous extracurricular activities throughout my childhood, I had to put a pause to it all while preparing for JEE. Coming to campus opened all those gates once again, and there was no stopping then.

The first year was a bit shaky due to COVID. Knowledge transfer between batches took a hit. We, as juniors, lost out on the mentorship we would otherwise benefit from. Once back on campus, life was full of surprises. One of them was discovering the freedom of inter-hostel movement. The ease with which friends can drop by, help out, or just hang around, it is something I have realized is not common on every campus.

One thing I have always admired about IITK is its student-led culture. We take initiative and create our own opportunities, but that also means we shoulder responsibility when things break down.

Finding a Voice at Vox Populi
Being part of Vox Populi, our campus journalism body, was a defining chapter for me. I still remember my first writing piece on Health Centre experiences. I was surprised by how many stories came in, how ready people were to be heard.

The best thing about Vox is that anyone can pitch a story. You do not have to be a senior or a part of the club - if something matters to students, we try to bring it out. Some years we focus on campus events; other times on deeper systemic issues. The philosophy stays the same: be the bridge between students and action.

One of the toughest stories we covered was on the campus protests around suicides and mental health. It wasn’t just journalism, Vox became a space where pain was acknowledged, not ignored. That moment solidified why student voices matter, and why listening, even when it’s uncomfortable, is necessary.

Admin pushback? It happens. But honestly, getting a response means they are listening. Students will not get a forever candyland, but if open dialogue becomes the norm, I think we are on the right path.

CS: Prestige or Pressure?
Now, the classic question - does Computer Science still feel like the crown jewel?

It is hard to say no. There is a lot of pedestal-placing - some by others, some by us. Especially in the first year, when everything feels determined by JEE ranks and peer comparison. The rat race of the job market, the societal pressure, and the outside norms add to the pressure.

I have had juniors ask me: “Should I try for a branch change? Should I do CP? Focus on academics?” And my advice has stayed the same: take your time. Explore. Do not let your branch define your college life. What matters most is what you do with your time here, not what department you belong to.

Vast Academic Experiences
From the start of the third year, all the Operating Systems courses I took have been a highlight. These were extremely engaging, and I pushed myself a lot during these. Specifically, Prof. Debadatta Mishra's patience and superhuman teaching abilities, Prof. Saumya Dutta's encouragement and support during my current research work with him, and Prof. Vineet Sahu's perspectives and stimulating teaching have really shaped me.

One course I feel every student must take is Prof. Veena Bansal's Universal Ethics and Values, where she emphasizes on how to focus on the present and measure success with happiness and not milestones like money.

So... What’s Next?
I am not entirely sure. Maybe higher studies. Maybe starting something of my own. All I know is that I do not want to be someone who simply increases a company’s valuation. I would rather build something that feels valuable to me, and hopefully to others too.

The corporate world might be where I start, but it’s not the final destination. Someday, I want to create something I can be proud of, simply because it matters.

Looking back, my journey at IIT Kanpur is shaped by a thousand small moments - 16-hour treasure hunts, project deadlines, meeting so many different people, spontaneous yet forever friendships, and valuable personal shifts. If there is one thing I have learned, it’s how to learn from mistakes. What has worked for me is strict schedules while packing a million activities to enrich your life with every opportunity possible.