My transition from simple to smart: Yash Gupta

I was never good in Economics and Social Studies and found it very difficult to understand the concepts. I had no interest in Arts and perceived it to be very boring to learn history and dates. So, what I was left with is Science. It was also an opportunity to start afresh with new things in class 11th. Science gave me the opportunity to play with technology and gain expertise in different specializations. There are a lot of trades: IT, electrical, electronics, mechanical, civil, bio, biotechnology, etc. There are numerous career options like doctor/medical studies, engineering in different specializations, software and app development, etc. One special benefit of opting for Science was that I could switch to other streams after 12^th if I wanted.

I chose Computer Science because I loved it. It’s not like I was a “computers guy" from the very beginning, I caught this fever only 4 years ago when I got my first PC. I was in 10th grade then. I learnt to use it and obviously struggled. There is a friend who always helped me. For every problem I faced, he had a solution on the go. I envied him. So, he triggered my interest in computers. The amazing things we can accomplish using computer knowledge always baffled me. I guess at one stage, every single one of us wanted to be a hacker. I had similar intentions at first but then I realized there are many other interesting things to do.

I started to explore the tech world and learnt a lot of random small things. Even now, I don't have any solid skills. But I'm glad I'm doing this. It has become my passion and I'll pursue it for as long as it takes.

I gave SRMJEEE for admission to B.Tech. I worked hard by practising all previous year papers along with some from the online study material available at that time. Apart from SRMJEEE, I gave JEE Mains, BITSAT, and VITEEE in 2015.

Though I hadn’t taken any coaching classes for preparation of all the above-mentioned exams, I did purchase some competition books such as HC Verma, RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal, OP Tondon, etc. to get prepared for advanced-level questions for all the 3 subjects.

Since I was trying hard to crack JEE Mains exam but my score was not good enough for me to get admission in reputed colleges, I tried for SRMJEE and VITEEE. I finally cracked the SRMJEE and got a seat in Computer Science Engineering at SRM-NCR campus.

I enjoyed my college life. Most people do not get opportunities that we get at SRM University, the college with no restrictions. It's easy to get a high CGPA and also to get placed (depending on the market demand). Certain people might demean you by saying that SRM University’s degree is of no use but our college degree has international recognition and fetches you admission in a master's degree university more easily compared to other colleges in Tamil Nadu.

I like to attend database classes as the technology is widely used in each sector and office. Also, it is quite easy to learn concepts of DBMS.

As for extra-curricular activities, I participated as a member in eco-friendly Ganesh Visharjan organized by our college. I also volunteered in National Diabetes Treatment and Care Programme, an event of diversified activities of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. I also won a national prize in Google Crowdsource Competition held for the first time at SRM University.

If I had another chance, I would participate in the annual fest, Rubaroo, especially as a part of the music band of our college.

When I came to college, I was pretty unsocial and dumb with people. I wouldn't be able to tell if a person was lying or faking things or was being manipulative.

I met people who successfully tried making a certain impression which wasn't true. I found that even I tried to create a false impression a lot of times unknowingly. College taught me how to evaluate others as well as myself on it.

It taught me that those who are hard-working and smart and good at what they do may not always succeed and be the best in their fields. People who are not as good and not as brilliant might still do way better than others. Hence, I decided not to judge anyone and announce that someone deserves more or less − I can't predict that and it's none of my business to see who deserves what. That is how my college experience changed me as a person.

About the Author:

My name is Yash Gupta. I’m doing B.Tech in CSE from SRM University, Ghaziabad. I'm a focussed and goal-oriented person. I actively participate in marketing-related activities and am a daring person.

I believe I have excellent leadership and communication skills. Also, I believe I'm a good presenter as I’ve won the best presenter award in my branch (CSE) in the college. I also won Google Crowdsource Competition (1st prize winner).