First Semester at IIT Madras: A Journey of Adaptation and Growth

When I was in 11th and 12th grade, I spent hours on Google and YouTube searching for information about different colleges and imagining what life on their campuses would be like. My dream was to attend one of India's top colleges, especially IIT Madras. With this post, I hope to provide a glimpse into my life as a student here and share my first-semester experience.

Welcoming the New Campus Life

The first time I entered the campus, I was filled with a sense of awe. The lush, green campus carved out of Guindy National Park was picturesque, and it was huge. The journey to the freshers' hostel, Mandakini, required driving about 5 kilometers. The hostel was buzzing with excitement; everyone was ready to begin the next chapter of their lives. Bhuvan, a fellow electrical engineering student, was assigned a room adjacent to mine, and we spent the next few days getting to know each other and the others in our wing.

The hostel rooms were much better than I expected, especially considering they were new. They even had balconies, which were a huge advantage. Our floor had around 60-70 rooms, with only a few having balconies. If you got one, you were considered incredibly lucky. Bhuvan and I were among the lucky few, and we spent a lot of time with our fellow freshmen, hitting it off effortlessly and becoming a group. I was lucky to have great roommates, Vittal from Chennai and Saketh from Warangal.

Adjusting to Academic and Social Life

Towards the end of the first week, the Chennai rains tormented us, drenching me on my way to class. But soon, we adapted, and the rain became part of the routine. The first day of classes brought a mix of excitement and nervousness. I showed up to my class without having breakfast, drenched by the rain, and things improved as we got used to the situation. Despite the challenges, I started to enjoy the academic rigor and the supportive community at IIT Madras.

During the first month, I didn't study much as I was so engrossed in the campus life. The physics course PH1010 was notorious for its difficulty, and it took me several weeks to understand the concepts. Our second semester would likely be even more challenging. While most freshers had to take an introductory CS course, electrical engineering students had options. The teasing between students in different streams was a unique aspect of life at IIT Madras, but ultimately, we all aimed to excel academically.

Involvement in Clubs and Activities

Towards the end of the first semester, I got involved with various clubs and activities. The competitive nature of IIT Madras is evident in everything—from club memberships to volunteering opportunities. I was part of the Startup Services team under Ecell, which organizes various events like Startup Meetup, Elevate, and Internfair. The startup community was active, and I was excited to attend the Bangalore event, even though it conflicted with an exam. Elevate, IITM's version of Shark Tank, is an excellent opportunity to network with startups and tap into potential internships. We started gearing up for E-Summit, our annual flagship event in April.

Saarang: An Unforgettable Experience

January was a busy month, marked by a break from January 5th to the end of Saarang on January 15th. Saarang, the annual cultural event, was a highlight of the semester. My involvement with ProShows made it a memorable experience. I volunteered as a coordinator for the music concerts and dance events, and the first night of the festival was an especially memorable one. The energy was electric, and I had the chance to meet international artists and even emcee the EDM night. Despite the chaos, Saarang was an unforgettable experience.

Reflections on First Semester

Reflecting on my first semester, I realize I need to work on two areas for the next one: time management and academics. While the campus life is vibrant and engaging, it also comes with significant academic demands. Balancing extracurricular activities with academic responsibilities is crucial, and I am determined to be better prepared for the challenges ahead.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey through my first semester at IIT Madras. It has been an unforgettable experience, and I am grateful for all the memories. If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below.

Balcony Buds

A last glimpse before the semester wraps up:

703: L to R: Saketh, me, and Vittal

E-Summit Theme Launch: Me, Jahaan, and Devansh at the E-Summit Theme Launch

Sunset from my Balcony: Sunset from my balcony

That's a wrap for this semester, folks! Adios.

Nikhil