My Journey at IGDTUW: The Story of Hard Work and Resilience

My experience at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women has been a test of hard work, perseverance and overcoming hardships. It has not been the mere cracking of entrance exams but more about exploring passion, gaining experiences, and learning valuable life lessons along the way.

Technology has always fascinated me. The feeling of creating something from scratch, the complexity of computers, and the ability to use code to solve real-world problems inspired me to choose Computer Science Engineering as a career. I always wanted to be an Engineer, but all that was holding me back was cracking the Joint Entrance Examination, JEE Advanced. 

The Preparations

Preparations for the JEE Advanced were extremely intense. It added long hours of study, numerous revisions, mock tests and sacrifices to my daily routine. There were days when I was so exhausted that I would question whether all of this hard work would be worthwhile. Deep down I knew that the dream I was looking towards was bigger than those hard times. I kept reminding myself that my persistence will help me become the best version of myself. After all the months of preparation, I cracked the JEE Advanced and got admission into the BTech CSE course at IGDTUW. 

A Start Before the Actual Start

Getting a place in my dream college was nothing but an overwhelming feeling, and it did not get any better from there. In fact, things were pretty bad as securing a hostel seat itself was a bigger challenge. I had to get a place among the few students who were left with hostel seats, which I found really competitive. Initially, I could not get a room; this made me anxious. Instead of letting this situation get me down, I adapted, got alternative accommodation and focused on what I could control, my studies. Finally, I got a place in the hostel and that is when my true college life began.

It was a real transformative experience to live in the hostel. I learnt how to be independent, manage time effectively and adapt to a new environment. The hostel became my second home, and my roommates became my family. We shared moments of laughter, late-night study sessions, and heart-to-heart conversations. It taught me how to build relationships, adapt to diverse perspectives and handle responsibilities on my own. 

The COVID-19 Problem

Just when everything was settling into college life, the pandemic COVID-19 emerged, changing everything. For three semesters, our classes were held in online mode. Adjusting to learning online was really challenging; concepts were not easy to absorb when a face-to-face connection was missed in discussions. In such circumstances, these were not big challenges for me. I remained disciplined and proactive in asking professors and fellow students for assistance. I made the most of my free time to understand and deepen my understanding of the subject. 

I matured not just academically but also as a person in my college days. The CSE classes offered technical knowledge; however, I have developed personal life skills and how to survive the future hurdles. I also learnt how to adjust to online classes, staying in the hostel and the involvement in co-curricular activities. The pandemic taught me the importance of being adaptable and making the most of any given situation.

The Virtual Events

The virtual events kept the spirit of college life very much alive. One of the highlights was the cultural fest called ‘Tarangna’. It was a virtual event, but I could take part and contribute. This is a reminder that no matter what the situation may be, there is always a way to get connected, celebrate and learn. The experience of organising and participating in such events, even virtually, teaches one about teamwork, creativity and perseverance. 

Looking Back at My Experience

I finally completed my degree after years of working hard for it, and the day of convocation was an immense source of pride for me. It was all these experiences; the struggles and the triumphs that were all being celebrated. I had conquered so much and every single one of them added to who I had become as a person. 

Looking back, my journey at IGDTUW has been a blend of challenges and growth. What the experience has made me realise and what makes this journey great, is not about the achievement, but indeed the journey along its path. 

As I walk into another chapter of my life, I go with the lessons and strength derived from this memory-rich journey. To say it all, a fruitful journey for which I am very thankful!

About the author: Kumkum is a recent BTech CSE graduate from Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women. She is a person who always believes that persistence and hard work can make any goal achievable. Completing her undergraduate degree, she looks forward at the bright future ahead of her and is ready to take any challenge head-on no matter what it is.