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In the 13th edition of As We Leave, Shruti Goyal, a Y21 student from the Civil Engineering department, shares her IIT Kanpur journey through a diary entry, filled with scribbles and thoughts. She writes about the people who helped her grow, the friendships that made it all bearable, the PORs that shaped her experiences, and the campus spots that brought her peace. She ends with a sweet note to her future self, probably reminding herself that how she made it through IITK.
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 IITK.
Dear Diary,
As I sit here getting ready to leave IITK, it finally hits me that another chapter is coming to an end. This one was special, unforgettable in every way. It brought both joy and sadness, wins and wipeouts, but above all, it brought growth. It’s hard to sum it all up, but I’ll try my best to write it down before the memories begin to fade.
I’m leaving this place with a bag full of memories. Some made me smile like an idiot, some made me cry in the middle of the night, but each one taught me something. These four years weren’t just about books and lectures; they were about long Zoom calls, silly fights, surprise friendships, heartbreaks I didn’t see coming, and academic comebacks I kept planning but never quite nailed.
There were times I wanted to punch the wall and yell, “Why did I even choose IITK?” But today, when I look around and realize I’m packing up my last few days here, my heart gets heavy. I know now that in order to start something new, you have to say goodbye to what once felt like your whole world.
Even though I only got to spend three years on campus thanks to the online start, those three years were enough. They made me who I am — one fall and one lesson at a time. So I’m writing all this down for future me, for that rainy evening when I might want to walk down memory lane. I hope when I do, these words remind me of how I lived through it all — how I laughed through the pain, held on during the chaos, and kept growing into someone I’m proud of.
Faces That Made the Ride Worth It
Someone once said, “Things don’t feel half as scary when you’ve got your friends with you.” I didn’t get it back then, but I do now.
From awkward “Can you hear me?” moments on video calls to dancing our hearts out during fests, I met people who slowly became my family.
Prachi, Vrinda, Komal, and Sneha, these girls are my solid ground. Whether it was getting me dressed for an event or picking me up (literally and emotionally) when I was drunk or broken, they never let go. We’ve had our share of fights and cold wars, but real friendship isn’t about being perfect; it’s about always finding your way back. These girls taught me what ride-or-die truly means, and this page will always remind me of all the madness, love, and unfiltered support we shared.
When I think about civil engineering, the first name that pops into my head is Sandipan. Without him, I honestly don’t think I would’ve made it through those back-breaking courses. He wasn’t just a batchmate, he was my human diary. Someone I could rant to, cry to, and yet still laugh with. He stood by me quietly, never asking for credit but always showing up. To every junior stepping into civil, find your Sandipan. It’ll make all the difference.
And then there’s my crazy travel gang, Sandipan, Shrey, Shishir, Shambhavi, and Vedant. With them, every road trip felt like a mini movie. We fought over playlists, got lost more times than I can count, but somehow always ended up somewhere beautiful. That’s what happens when the company’s right, even the wrong turns feel just right. Those late-night talks, silly jokes, windy drives, and offbeat detours, they’re all locked in my heart.
Some people weren’t around all the time, but their little gestures meant the world. A kind word, a random hug, or just being there when I needed them — Gagan, Sonara, Sumit, Suraj, Srishti, Saumya, Aditi, Nikita, Rishwitha, Ashish, Harsh, Pandey, Rishi, Ravi, Prix, and Gaurish, you may not know it, but you made this journey brighter. Thank you.
And oh, my seniors, Yuvraj, Harshal, and Yash — what started with respect turned into comfort and so much laughter. I never expected such friendships, but I’m grateful life surprised me.
Last but not least, there’s Devansh. He deserves a whole chapter, but I’ll try to keep it short. Through the mess, madness, and quiet moments, he stood by me. Steady, calm, and always just… there. He became my peace when everything else felt like a storm. Some people don’t need big words; their presence speaks loud enough.
POR Chronicles
“Took a POR to add a line to my resume… ended up writing an entire drama instead.”
Looking back, I can’t help but giggle at how I tanked my grades because of my PORs. Okay, okay… maybe also because of my poor time management skills.
In my second year, I went all in. Civil was already a mountain to climb, and I decided to hike with extra baggage: Udghosh, Techkriti, E-Cell, GnS, EC, and SoCE. Each POR came with its own circus — midnight calls, planning that went sideways, and meetings that could’ve been emails. But it also came with friendships, inside jokes, free merch, and lessons I’ll carry forever. Somewhere along the way, I landed in the Udghosh Core Team, and that, truly, became one of my favorite chapters. PORs gave me the backstage pass to campus life. They taught me to lead, to pitch, to manage people and chaos, and most importantly, to pretend I had it all together when I very clearly didn’t. To every junior reading this, join a club/cells/fests. You’ll make friends, you’ll learn things Google won’t teach you, and you’ll mess up a lot. But you’ll grow. And trust me, it’s worth it.
Sure, my CGPA took a few hits (okay fine, more than a few), but what I gained was far bigger: confidence, people skills, and memories that make me smile when no one’s watching. If I had to go back, I’d still choose the chaos over a few extra marks any day.
If These Places Could Talk…
“In every corner of this campus, there’s a version of me that learned something new.”
I found myself lost in memories and places, and I wonder what they’d say about me. About the versions of myself I left behind at each turn.
Skywalk
It wasn’t just a bridge between buildings, it was a place where time slowed down and thoughts found their way. Lined with trees and lit by warm LEDs under the moon, it became my favorite spot to unwind. Night walks over scattered flowers, soft conversations under the stars, it felt like the campus was silently listening. Skywalk taught me that in the quiet walks between destinations, we often find the answers we weren’t even looking for.
OAT
This place was freedom in its purest form. No permissions needed, no questions asked, just the open sky and endless conversations. It was the spot for late-night chills, crazy cheering during events, and those loud laughs that echoed way past midnight.
Whether it was a group of friends lying on the stairs, gossiping about everything and nothing, or couples whispering under the stars, OAT saw it all.
OAT taught me that sometimes, the best moments are the unplanned ones. That you don’t always need a reason to be happy, just good company, open skies, and the freedom to be yourself.
Lecture Hall
The place where “attendance was low, but hope was high.” I bunked more classes than I attended, made peace with the back row, and somehow still showed up on exam days confused, underprepared, and secretly dreaming of decent grades.
There were days I zoned out completely, and others where I scribbled nonsense just to look busy. Lecture halls taught me that showing up late doesn’t mean you’re out of the race. Everyone has their own way of learning and growing, and that’s okay. Sometimes, learning from the back is all you need to survive and even shine.
DJAC Rooftop
Whenever life felt messy, this was my escape. Watching streetlights in silence, feeling the breeze, and sometimes catching a shooting star, it somehow made things feel a little clearer. And good company only made it better. This place taught me that when things get too loud inside your head, you need to climb a little higher. Sometimes, clarity comes from simply looking at life from above.
DOAA Canteen
The only place on campus that never sleeps—just like us during submissions. Their fried Maggi and that perfect cup of chai after a night out hit different. Even the army of mosquitoes couldn’t drive us away. It wasn’t always about comfort. It was about the people, the late-night hunger, and the little joys that turned into unforgettable memories.
Hall 6
Three years. Three rooms—B602, B313, C418. Each one holds a piece of my heart. These walls witnessed everything: late-night breakdowns, endless laughter, quiet dreams, loud heartbreaks. The basketball court, the connector, even the rooftop solar panels knew my story. I’d lie there under the moon, sometimes with my girl gang, sometimes just with my thoughts—looking up at the sky, hoping for answers to the chaos in my mind. Hall 6 taught me that healing doesn’t always come from running away. Sometimes, it comes from letting a place hold your chaos until you’re ready to let go.
These aren’t just places. They’re pages of my story. Every corner of IITK holds a fragment of who I was, who I became, and the quiet in-betweens I didn’t even notice at the time. And if these places could talk, I think they’d smile and say, “You’ve come a long way.”
What IITK Left Me With
I came here as a noob, but I’m leaving with lessons that shaped me for life.
- Consistency is a key – No matter how much I struggled, just showing up every day got me through. Even with a low CPI, I made it to Day 1.1 and cracked it.
- It’s okay to feel lost – There were days I had no idea where I was heading, but somehow in the chaos, I always found my way back.
- Peace is personal – Whether it was the DJAC rooftop or a quiet walk on Skywalk, I found calm in the most unexpected corners.
- Friends made it magical – The all-night talks, sudden plans, and shared struggles made this place feel like home.
- Growth happened quietly – I didn’t realize when I started changing, but looking back, I know I’m not the same person who walked in.
- The art of letting go – Holding on to memories is easy, but letting go of fears, doubts, and regrets is what truly sets me free.
So, here’s to you, IITK—more than a campus, you were a chapter of my life I never wanted to end, but am grateful I lived.
To the Future Me
When you read this someday, remember this: life is messy, beautiful, hard, and amazing. You’ve got scars and stories, but you also have strength and dreams. Keep chasing what makes your heart sing, never forget the friends who stood by you, and always make room for new adventures. And if things get tough, just sit down somewhere quiet, breathe, and remember where you came from. Because every ending is just a new beginning.
So, IITK Goodbye for now, but not forever. Because no matter where I go, a little piece of me will always be wandering your halls, under your skies, and dreaming by your rooftops.
Till we meet again,
Signing off – 211016
Written by: Shruti Goyal
Edited by: Abhinav, Divyanshi Agnihotri
Designed by: Pragya Puri, Pankhuri Sachan
