4 YEARS at IIT in 4 MINUTES

Summary

Darren reflects on his transformative four years at IIT Kharagpur, sharing his journey from a nervous introvert to someone who embraced new experiences, made lasting friendships, and overcame personal challenges. From participating in clubs and internships to dealing with tough moments like losing friends and a relationship, he found growth in both academics and life. Despite the setbacks, Darren navigated through the pandemic, internship opportunities, and eventually, the decision to switch to a dual degree course. As he faces his final year, Darren encourages students to make the most of their college years and live life to the fullest.

Takeaways

• 😀 Darren reflects on his four years at IIT Kharagpur, from being an introvert to becoming more social and outgoing.
• 😀 College provided Darren with opportunities to step out of his comfort zone and make new friends.
• 😀 His first year was a whirlwind of exploring activities, joining clubs, and even taking part in some unconventional experiences like bunking classes.
• 😀 Despite facing personal struggles, including a difficult breakup and the loss of close friends, Darren managed to focus on his personal growth with the help of his new friends.
• 😀 The COVID-19 lockdown allowed Darren to reflect deeply on his life and reconnect with his parents, which he missed during his time in the hostel.
• 😀 Darren achieved notable milestones, such as winning a gold medal at IIT Bombay's cultural event and securing internships with prominent companies.
• 😀 His third year was marked by internships, personal achievements, and the creation of YouTube content, which helped him grow both personally and professionally.
• 😀 Darren switched to a dual-degree course, a decision he regards as one of the best choices he made during his time in college.
• 😀 As his graduation approaches, Darren is excited and nervous about the future, with multiple opportunities on the horizon, including business ventures and placements.
• 😀 The key lesson Darren learned during these four years is to live life to the fullest and not waste the precious time available in college.
• 😀 Darren encourages current students to give their best in school, get into a good college, and make the most of their time during college life.

Q & A

How did the narrator feel when they first came to college?

The narrator felt nervous but also excited when they first came to college.

What was the narrator's experience like during their first year at IIT Kharagpur?

In their first year, the narrator tried new things, made a lot of friends, joined multiple clubs, played sports, and even acted on stages. They also bunked classes and had a somewhat carefree attitude.

What was the turning point of the narrator's college life?

The turning point of the narrator's college life occurred during their second year when they moved to a new hostel, made new friends, and began focusing more on personal growth.

What challenges did the narrator face during their second year?

During their second year, the narrator faced personal struggles, including the end of a relationship and the loss of two best friends. This was described as one of the darkest phases of their college life.

How did the narrator cope with the difficulties during their second year?

The narrator coped with these difficulties by leaning on their friends, focusing on other activities, and finding new opportunities, such as winning gold at the IIT Bombay internet culturals and taking up internships.

How did the coronavirus pandemic affect the narrator's college life?

The pandemic led to a two-year lockdown, which kept the narrator at home. Initially boring, the lockdown gave the narrator a chance to reflect on their life, focus on important aspects, and reconnect with their parents.

What types of internships did the narrator pursue during their college years?

The narrator did internships at a Belgium-based startup and at Low Chain Networks, as well as other experiences in between.

What was the significant decision the narrator made towards the end of their third year?

Towards the end of their third year, the narrator and their friends decided to switch to a dual degree course, as they didn’t want to graduate while still at home.

What are some of the achievements the narrator mentions in their final year?

In their final year, the narrator mentions their placements coming up in December, their YouTube channel approaching 100k subscribers, an offer to join a Netflix documentary editing team, and a new business venture they were starting.

What life lesson does the narrator emphasize at the end of the video?

The narrator emphasizes that life is too short, so one should live it to the fullest and make the most of every moment.