My interest in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was sparked by my elder brother. He constantly motivated me to prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Like many others, I wasn’t a prodigy – in fact, the JEE journey was full of doubts and self-questioning. I joined a local coaching institute and often found myself lagging in tests. Scoring poorly and sometimes coming last in the coaching rankings really tested my confidence.Top 10 engineering colleges and their CSE branch: Placement, rankingsHonestly, even JEE Main felt tough, and qualifying for JEE Advanced seemed like a distant dream. But I kept going. When the results came in 2024, I secured an AIR of 17,181 in JEE Main and 7,108 in JEE Advanced. It wasn’t the perfect score I had dreamt of, but it was good enough to get me into an old IIT – something I had set my heart on.Landing in IIT Roorkee’s Energy Engineering branchLike many aspirants, I had dreamt of IIT Delhi. But fate had other plans. I chose IIT Roorkee, partly because it was closer to Ludhiana. Initially, I was allotted the Biosciences and Bioengineering (BSBE) branch. I chose it over supposedly “better” branches in other IITs or NITs because I had always wanted to study in an old IIT. I believed, like many of the YouTube seniors I followed, that the branch would not matter much.10 non-IIT engineering colleges in India & their ME branch: Rankings & placementsLuck favoured me later. After my first semester, I managed to change my branch to Energy Engineering. It wasn’t part of any grand plan, but I have grown to like it.10 engineering colleges and their Mechanical Engineering branches: Placement, & rankingsStory continues below this adHonestly, I never thought I was good enough for a branch change. For me, just getting into IIT Roorkee felt like a distant dream come true. So, while many of my batchmates were obsessed with branch change, I spent my first semester exploring the campus – meeting new people, joining clubs, and enjoying the freedom.Read More | Why have some IITs decided to discontinue branch change optionTo my surprise, I scored 8.69 SGPA in the first semester, which gave me a real chance at a branch change. I was initially reluctant to leave BSBE because I had made good friends there, but after talking to seniors – and since my best friend was also going for a branch change – I decided to take the leap. That’s how I moved to Energy Engineering, a relatively new branch whose future prospects are still evolving.Read | Top 10 engineering colleges and their ECE branches: Placement, rankings and moreStory continues below this adJoining IIT Roorkee in 2024 was also my first experience of living away from home. I grew up in Ludhiana, a city always alive with energy – the charm or the raunak – which I still miss while living in the quieter town of Roorkee.Also read | Top 10 engineering colleges and their CSE branch: Placement, rankingsThe initial weeks were a mix of excitement and homesickness. But soon, I found my rhythm – making friends, adjusting to hostel life, and exploring the vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere of the campus.Life on the IIT Roorkee campusThe best part of IIT life is meeting people from across the country. Conversations in the hostel corridors often stretch late into the night. You hear stories from all corners of India – it’s a kind of cultural exchange that you don’t get elsewhere.Story continues below this adI joined clubs to explore my interests. I am part of Tinkering Lab Students’ Body, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, and SPIC MACAY. Managing academics alongside club activities is hectic, but it is also what makes IIT life exciting. I am planning to focus on two clubs now to balance things better.Even a regular day here is packed. Classes typically run from 8 am to 6 pm, often with just a short lunch break. Cycling uphill to reach lecture halls can be a workout in itself. In the evenings, I try to attend yoga sessions – though sometimes they get skipped because of club work or other commitments.The nights are when the campus truly comes alive. We hang out, take random walks, talk about everything under the sun, and sometimes work late on projects or skills we want to develop. The memories we make during these late-night sessions make the IIT experience so special.Culture, treats, and learningIIT life has its own culture and quirks. There’s healthy competition, but also moments of intense rivalry – and yes, some toxicity too. We joke that the deadliest snakes aren’t in jungles but in hostel rooms.Story continues below this adThen there’s the tradition of ‘chapo’ – our slang for treat. Seniors, professors, or even teaching assistants sometimes host us for a chapo, often just tea and fritters. These moments are less about food and more about bonding.The junior-senior bond here is something I deeply value. Seniors guide us, whether it’s about academics, skills, or just navigating campus life. At the fresher’s event of my department, a professor – himself an IIT Roorkee alumnus – reminded seniors to treat juniors like younger siblings and help them out. That sentiment captures the spirit of the place.IIT has also taught me to stay on my toes. There’s always someone better than you in something, which pushes you to keep learning. I have realised that ‘meta-learning’ – the ability to learn new things quickly – is the most valuable skill in this competitive environment.A memorable classroom encounterI still remember my first class of a new course one semester. I walked in 20 minutes late, thinking I’d quietly slip into a seat. But the professor came straight up to me and asked me to leave. When I apologised, he said, “If you don’t leave now, you will be really sorry.” That tone was enough to make me walk out without another word.Story continues below this adIncidents like these remind you that while IIT gives you freedom, it also demands discipline.Writing to inspireBefore joining IIT, I often read stories on Quora about other students’ journeys – especially those who felt JEE was beyond their reach but still made it. Those stories kept me motivated during tough times.During the break between JEE Advanced and joining college, I started writing on Quora myself. I wanted to share my experiences so that other aspirants could find hope, just as I once did. The messages I receive from students who say my answers have helped them – that satisfaction is hard to put into words.Hobbies and small joysApart from writing, I love taking photos on my phone. I am still learning the art of photography, but it is something that helps me slow down and appreciate the little moments on campus.Story continues below this adLooking aheadIf you ask me whether IIT life is worth the two years of burning the midnight oil – I’d reply with a resounding ‘yes’.The exposure, the world-class education, the alumni network, the friends, the late-night walks, the fests – all of it makes the struggle worth it.Being at IIT has made me more independent and confident. It is a place that challenges you constantly but also gives you the freedom to explore and grow.I don’t have a fixed roadmap for the future yet, but I know one thing: whatever I do, I want to keep learning and keep sharing – whether through my work or my writing.