How Destiny Led Me to IIIT Delhi.

An Average Student with Big Dreams

I was never the topper in school. My days were filled with sports tournaments—zonal, interzonal. Studies? They took a backseat. Still, I managed an 85% in my 10th-grade exams, which felt like a small victory. After the 10th, I faced my first big decision: enroll in a polytechnic or switch to a better school for the 11th and 12th. I cleared both entrance exams, but friends and relatives nudged me toward school, saying, “Polytechnic has less value. You can do better with a non-medical stream.” The idea of enjoying two more years of school life sealed the deal.

The Fun of 11th and 12th

Those two years were a blast. I made friends, had fun, and scored 83% in my 12th-grade exams. But then came the next crossroads: what to do after the 12th? I appeared for two exams—JEE Mains and AME CET (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Common Entrance Test). To my shock, I ranked 10th in AME CET out of 3.5 lakh candidates and 52,126 in JEE Mains out of 10 lakh. I was thrilled but also naive. I missed the JEE Advanced registration window by a week, unaware of the short deadline. That mistake hit hard. I cried, feeling like I’d let a golden opportunity slip away.

Lesson learned: If you get a chance to chase your dreams, don’t miss it. Some opportunities come only once.

The AME CET Dilemma

My AME CET rank could have landed me a top college with a 100% scholarship, but I learned it was a diploma program, not a B.Tech degree. After some research, I realized a B.Tech offered better long-term prospects. So, I turned my focus to engineering colleges. My options were DTU (Delhi Technological University) or NSUT (Netaji Subhash University of Technology). My father, always seeking advice, consulted a friend who asked about my JEE rank. His response changed everything: “Without thinking twice, take CSE at IIIT Delhi—you won’t find an environment like that anywhere else.”

IIIT Delhi? What’s That?

I was confused. We were debating DTU versus NSUT, and now IIIT Delhi entered the picture? I’d never even heard of it! But that single phone call shifted my father’s perspective. He decided I’d join IIIT Delhi’s Computer Science and Engineering program and stay in the hostel, as commuting 48 km daily wasn’t practical. Just like that, my path was set.

Trusting the Process

Looking back, I see how every choice—big or small—led me here. From an average student torn between options to a third-year B.Tech student at IIIT Delhi, my journey feels like destiny at work. I didn’t always know what I wanted, but somehow, I ended up where I was meant to be. One book that helped me reflect on focusing during tough decisions is The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan (check it out here). It’s a great read for anyone looking to prioritize what truly matters.

If you’re at a crossroads, trust the process. You’re exactly where you need to be right now. Do your best for yourself and your loved ones, and let the rest fall into place.

What’s your story? Have you ever stumbled into an unexpected opportunity that changed your life? Share it in the comments below, and let’s connect!

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