Saad Ahmad is a graduating Y19 student in the Mechanical Engineering Department. In the twenty-seventh edition of As We Leave, Saad brings a smile to the reader’s face as he recalls memories with his friends, his ups and downs, and how, through perseverance, all the pieces of his life have fallen into place.
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.
Kahani Suno…
Like a newly planted seed, my AWL unfurls throughout my college experience and witnesses the transformative power of the seeds of change sown in the early days as they gradually germinate and give rise to newfound passions and perspectives.
As I write this AWL, my mind drifts back to the day I arrived at Kanpur Central Railway Station with my parents and sister, lugging numerous suitcases and bags. A profound sadness overwhelmed me as I left my home for the first time.
From the orientation week to the batch video shoot and my wingies telling me, “AWL sirf popular logon ka publish hota hai,” every moment has been so exceptional and unforgettable, leaving me with countless cherished memories that I think this AWL will fall short if I go to describe all the memories.
Uncharted Beginnings:
I vividly remember my first year at IITK, a tapestry woven with exhilarating experiences and endless opportunities. My SG, Piyush, simplified my journey here, as he used to solve my life problems and guide me so calmly that one can’t imagine. From attending those “sleepy lectures” to shouting “Hall-12 ka tempo high hai” at 2, and playing COD-PUBG in Aman’s room when he used to cry “mera hi room milta hai kya khelne ko tumsabko”, I threw myself into college life forging unbreakable bonds with newfound comrades who became my pillars of strength.
I explored a lot in my first year, became a volunteer for both Udghosh and Antaragni, which taught me event management, worked with the best team and under the best seniors of IITK- Humanoid team, participated in galaxy and takneek, as every senior used to say, explore karo, padhai to exams ke ek week pahle krni hoti hai. I remember my room fights with Aryan, “Light off krde bhai, sona hai,” “Na bhai, aajto night out hai, TA lab hai morning me.” I remember asking Mantaas what he used to eat to top in exams by studying only one night before.
I met amazing people: Abhinav in TA lab, who had solutions for anything you ask for; Manit, who taught me how to remain chill even after missing the submission deadline; and Lochan in the Humanoid team.
One of the most memorable moments of my first year was discovering the Anime Society at IITK, which helped to extend my dream of working in Japan. While some may perceive these memories as mere footprints in the sand, easily washed away by time, for me, they are the seashells that adorn the shores of my existence, holding within them the echoes of cherished nostalgia and boundless joy.
Could I, just once more, be transported back in time to attend those aerobics CPA classes and relish the serenity of swimming at 5 during PE?
Adaptation in the Pandemic:
The second year went into COVID times, and the academic load intensified like a blazing inferno. Amid this intense pressure, I found myself completing and asking for assignments from Prateek, Devansh, Parth, and Vinoba, giving online quizzes, and on long calls with Raj explaining each “Mech” lecture meticulously. I felt disheartened that none of my wingmates were in Mech, except Ankit, who pursued Aero. I realized that pursuing a career in Mech was not for me, so the only option was to do coding. I remember how my friends Aman, Mridul, and I regularly gave coding contests, discussing “Bhai, aajto -100 horhi hai rating” when everyone said “abhi se kyu karrhe“, which improved my skills. The best part was that my friends supported me in every step, whether in academics or emotionally. One advice I would like to give here is that you should not restrict yourself to your dept only; you can explore any field you want, join clubs, and utilize the time here for self-discovery.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do “
It would be wonderful to encapsulate all the skills and experiences I have gained here and pack them in my rugged jeans’ metaphorical pocket as a physical representation of the unforgettable journey I have embarked on. Such a symbol would be a constant reminder of the valuable lessons I have learned, the friends I have made, and the beautiful memories I have cherished.
Tension vala Semester:
During the challenging 5th semester, my journey resembled a treacherous mountain climb, fraught with challenges and steep inclines. The pressure to secure an internship was immense, and as a non-circuital student with an average CPI, I felt like the odds were stacked against me. The disappointment of being rejected on the first day of interviews was a bitter pill, and it only got harder from there.
I gave interview after interview, putting in countless hours of preparation and practice, but the results remained the same – rejection after rejection. During the struggle to secure an internship, I felt hopeless, trapped in a dark phase without a visible way out. I remember how me and my mech friends used to be sad ki “Yaar isbaar bhi open nhi hui company, abto pure batti dept ki intern lagne vali, xD.”
I kept faith that my hard work would eventually pay off. And finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, I received an internship offer in October, though it may not have been exactly what I had hoped for. I used to think, “Intern season to gaya, placement me chaapna hai,” and was determined to secure a good placement offer. Looking back upon that transformative semester, I now grasp the gravity of its teachings—the vital significance of resilience.
On the other hand, I feel nostalgic about waking up 24/7 during all the nights of Antaragni, Techkriti, and Udghosh, roaming all day long in the events ground and dancing in the best pronites one could ever ask for.
Oh, how I yearn for those interminable queues outside the auditorium, a testament to our unwavering dedication, even if the coveted entry eluded us. The memories and fights of GPLs, those joyous celebrations of birthdays that resonated with the sweetest melodies, are etched in the recesses of my mind. I miss those library and RM study sessions and those daily knocking at doors by Arpit and Siddhartha, “It’s 7:30, chicken biryani khane mess chalen?”
Reflections and Farewell:
The 7th semester was a tough time. It involved rigorous efforts, with Anshumann clarifying my cp doubts, Varun clearing my quant doubts, and me giving 3-4 tests daily, and the pressure to get shortlisted was so high that it can’t be described in words. As I had prepared hard and was confident, but simultaneously, the competition was so high my confidence turned into fear day by day as the interviews approached. Nevertheless, my perseverance paid off, and I was placed in 1.2. My dream came true as I would be going to Tokyo. The feeling of euphoria that I felt at that moment is something that I will never forget. The happiness I felt was not just for myself but for my family as well.
Finally, the last sem was chill, but doing those MBA case studies with Gaurav was troublesome, and fearing with Jatin how this numerical methods assignment will be done. I still remember going to Panshul’s room and asking, “Eco me pass to kardete haina bhai profs.” I want those photoshoot sessions with my wingies and mech buddies again. I also miss engaging in late-night strategy discussions with my bhai Ghulam and pondering over which colour Kurta to purchase to create the best vibes.
Make Friends, Connect, and Explore:
The best thing I had with me at IIT K was the best friend circle. I was fortunate to be surrounded by a great circle of friends, each excelling in their distinct fields of expertise.
With friends by my side, my ordinary moments transformed into cherished memories
I want to say, no matter what efforts you have put in the past or what obstacles you face, you have the potential to achieve your wildest dreams. Achieving our goals may take time and effort, but the journey is worth it. Everyone who reads this will understand how crucial it is to have a strong group of friends who will help in the ups and downs of the journey here at IIT Kanpur.
I will profoundly miss the exhilaration of those midnight badminton and table tennis matches with Ayush and the echoes of laughter in the empty corridors. Those late-night cravings leading us to Kathi Rolls at the OAT and those night outs one night before the exams. And how can I forget those 3 am walks around Mama Mio with my wingies, those 8 am “Sardi Bhari Classes” with profs coming in “boxers”, and me conducting those Academic mentor sessions.
Life here will transform you from an empty canvas to a beautiful painting filled with the colours of memories
IIT Kanpur will always remain etched in my memories as the best chapter of my life filled with invaluable lessons. If you need any help, please feel free to reach out to me on any social media platform. I’ll be more than happy to help you in any way I can. I will end all of this with this famous quote:
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
Written By: Saad Ahmad
Edited By: Vedanshi Aggrawal, Zainab Fatima
