As We Leave #31: More than a degree

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In the 31st edition of As We Leave 2026, Pratiksha Kanwar, a Y22 student in the department of Materials Science and Engineering, reflects on her transformative four-year journey at college, from a fresher overwhelmed by academic shock and a harsh DUGC warning, to a resilient graduate who ultimately secured a PPO and made lifelong memories. It is a poignant story of navigating intense pressure, overcoming self-doubt, and learning that even through life’s biggest downfalls, everything eventually finds a way of working out.

Disclaimer:- The views presented below are the author’s own and are not in any manner representative of the views of Vox Populi as a body or IIT Kanpur in general. This is an informal account of the author’s experiences at IIT-K.

I always thought coming to college would make my life fun and easy since the hardest part of my life was over ; clearing JEE (at least that’s what I thought as a 19-year-old kid).
19-year-old me was pretty happy on Otober 28, 2022, my first day at IIT Kanpur, since I was a dropper and used to see my friends enjoying their college life while I was studying day and night. Little did I know that life would become such a rollercoaster ; one that would scare me, stress me, and still make me want it more at the same time. Here’s my story.

The first few days started off great. Had a pretty enjoyable orientation in college, and it made me feel like I chose the best college. Seeing the Y21 ammas and baapus, I thought I’d be one of them next year. Orientation was great, made a lot of friends, and got a pretty fun wing.

Then came my first day of classes. Never knew acads would become such a nightmare for me. Everything was great in my first semester until quizzes and exams came. Struggled through every course and tried to study everything just to score decent marks. Then first semester SPI came out and it shocked me. I thought, “Is scoring really this hard at IIT Kanpur?” Could not process it. My first and biggest downfall in life was this.

I never thought about getting terminated in college, but people around me made me believe that I actually might get terminated because of my marks. I was called by the DUGC of my branch to his office. I was already scared, wondering why I was the only one being called. He made a statement that completely made me rethink my decision of joining IIT Kanpur. He said, “Tumhe college se nikaal diya jaayega” if I kept scoring such low marks. The first-year student in me was shaken. I was not able to process this. I thought maybe he was actually serious about it. Could not share this event with anyone (except one CTM, and I’m too grateful for her) because I was too ashamed.

I always kept thinking about how to survive in such a competitive environment because this was the first time I was surrounded by people who seemed perfect in everything. I worked hell hard for my acads.

I joined Fine Arts as a secy. Made some great friends there and met some of the most friendly seniors. Did numerous night outs. Bohot saari bakchodi and had a lot of fun. I had a wonderful tenure and I am so glad I joined fine arts. One of my biggest regrets in college life is that I never went for the fac coordie interview. I always wanted to be one.

Second year got over, and it was intern season. I always thought I’d be the one left out without an intern. I was always underconfident about myself because of my CPI, but maybe God had different plans for me. Shortlists used to come out and my name was never there. All my friends were sorted by September and I was still there without an intern.

At that time, I was an Antaragni organizer. Did a hell lot of work and executed a wonderful fest. Antaragni finally got over and I thought life would calm down for a bit. But the very next day around 10 PM, I was suddenly added to a group and my interview was scheduled for the next day at 12 noon. I was way too nervous since it was my first interview. Studied all night, gave the interview the next day, and by evening surprisingly I had an intern with me. After so long it genuinely felt unreal.

Third year was over. Then summers were here and it was my first day at my job on May 15. Got a wonderful manager, worked really hard there, but was always stressed about whether I’d get the PPO or not. I did everything I could and had a pretty stressful time there, but there were people around me who always believed in me. Thank you Aayushman – my biggest supporter and motivator.

Anyways, the intern ended and I was back, still in a dilemma about whether I’d get the PPO or not.

Finally, it was August 15 2025. I got a call from one of my friends congratulating me “Tujhe PPO mil gaya.” I checked my mail and there it was. I finally got the PPO. I was shocked, happy, and just extremely thankful to God.

Placement season was near, and I was now free from all that stress. Then December came, the most stressful time for my friends. I was genuinely so happy seeing everyone get placed and watching all of us finally get through those tough times.

And then came the most beautiful phase of my college life.

Goa happened.

The most wonderful trip of my college life. Spent the chillest semester of my college. Our games – Cabo and Pictionary ; became core memories. Then endsems came, and I gave the last exams of my college life.

Everything felt pretty overwhelming after that. Stayed awake till 7 AM almost every day. Amrit Mattha became our everyday visit during the last few days. Roomie³ will always have my heart.

May 16 2026 was the last day in college. The day I waved goodbye with heavy hearts.

This place taught me a lot. It made me cry, stressed me out, but also gave me some of the happiest moments and the happiest version of myself. All I kept thinking was maybe we all could stay here a little longer. This place has seen both the lowest and highest phases of my life. I wondered why such a beautiful phase of life had to end.

Here’s what I learned in my four years of college:

“Somehow, things always find a way of working out. Keep manifesting.”

I was once called by the DUGC and now I just want to say — “NHI NIKAALA GAYA MUJHE COLLEGE SE”, I’ve graduated.

I always thought I’d be the one left out without an intern or a job, but here I am.

I faced the worst breakup. It completely changed me as a person, and for that I’m grateful to God.

In fact, I met the most wonderful person who made my college life so much more beautiful just by being a part of it. Somehow, every stressful day felt lighter with him around. Grateful for him, always.

Made some incredible friends who have seen the craziest, weirdest, happiest, and most real version of me. From all the bakchodi to the toughest phases, they were there through everything. I am beyond grateful to have them, and I’ll hold onto them forever.

I want to thank IIT Kanpur for giving me these wonderful years of my life. This place broke me, shaped me, healed me, and gave me memories I know I’ll carry forever.

And honestly, in any life, if asked, I would happily relive all of this again.