Is it the right thing to drop a year for IIT-JEE preparation? Should I take admission and prepare simultaneously? What if the worst happens and I do not crack IIT-JEE even after preparing for two years? What if I don’t get the branch of my choice? Should I try for it next year? Will I get it?
These are the numerous questions that are inside the mind of every engineering aspirant. But there is someone who has experienced all this. Gone through much more and has come out with flying colours. Umesh Pratap Singh, a 2nd year student of IT-BHU, Electronics department talks about all these aspects in this tete-a-tete.
1. How did you feel when you were not selected for IIT-JEE? What were the circumstances like?
It was 10th of March 2009, when I was diagnosed with Diabetes. A fateful day in my life as I had to be hospitalized. My condition was critical, people were advising me to leave the board exams but I didn’t want to waste the year and hence, gave it. I also appeared for AIEEE and IIT-JEE in April. When the results were declared I got a low rank in AIEEE and IIT-JEE just remained a dream. The only saving grace was that I managed to secure a decent 89% in class 12th. It was a setback for sure but my parents were very supportive and that helped me to bounce back.
2. So, how did you proceed from there onwards?
I took admission in a college in Allahabad because I was not prepared to waste another year in preparation. I had already prepared for two years in Kota. Therefore, it never occurred to me that I should devote one more year to IIT-JEE. But somewhere it was still hovering in my mind. I was always a good student and scored good marks and I strongly believed that I deserved a better deal in life. So, I decided to prepare for IIT-JEE simultaneously with my studies.
3. How did you manage both of them?
It was indeed a task to manage both the things together but I feel I owed it to my parents. My mother was taking a lot of pains to make my stay comfortable in Allahabad. She left her job to stay with me. My father managed by himself. Their sacrifice was a big motivating factor.
4. What was your time table like?
I didn’t study very specifically for IIT-JEE in the initial months as classes had to be attended and there was considerable stuff to study but nonetheless, I studied regularly for one-two hours. It was only after I could not clear the interview of SCRA (Special Class Railway Apprentice) exam that my determination to clear IIT-JEE got firm. I started preparation in full swing from February. I studied for 6-7 hours daily apart from attending classes and preparing for term end exams . It was really hectic. I put in a lot of effort and hard work. I didn’ t watch any movie, no outing, no entertainment, honestly but it paid off. I cleared IIT-JEE that year.
5. You charted your IIT-JEE career solely?Who do you give the credit for this ultimate success?
Well, I am a firm believer in God. Though I did work hard it would not have been possible without His grace. I feel there is 5% contribution of your efforts and 95% of your family & friends and of course god in whatever you achieve in life.
6. Did you still hold on to your faith, when the initial setbacks like you getting diagnosed with diabetes and being unable to crack IIT-JEE in first attempt, appeared in your life?
Yes, my faith in God is not subject to personal success and failure. I feel whatever happens, either good or bad, is for your good only. Life is a great leveler. If you have the strength to believe in this philosophy it works. It has worked for me.
7. You also changed your branch after getting admission in IIT?
Yes, I had taken admission in IT-BHU in civil engineering but I was interested in Electronics. Now, the only way to get it was to score exceptionally well in the term end exams. So, it was again hard work and studies. I did that and topped in my branch and thus, got electronics engineering branch.
8. What, according to you, is the basic funda of success in life?
Hard work and faith in god makes everything possible. The good wishes and cooperation of your family and friends is also equally important. If you are fortunate enough to acquire all this, there is no reason to be unsuccessful.