In Retrospect: Semester 2

Fresh from winter vacations, I was very happy about my second semester. I had decided to get a laptop so that I could devote more time to programming (thats what I thought :) ). That was the turning point. It did not matter because of the laptop and the accompanying pleasures but because I had started moving away from the curriculum. I had decided to do what made me happy. Thus started the golden period of my history at IITK. I started bunking classes. It seemed to me as if nothing else matters. How wrong I was. My academic performace took the plunge. First mid-sems came too soon for my comfort. I was, however, still not ready to realize what was wrong. The month of February arrived and with it the only thing that I had waited for since hearing about it - 'Techkriti'. I teamed up with Ashish Bhatia and we made it a point to test ourselves in all the software events. Three days passed and we had had no success. I had resigned myself to brood over it and my mid-sem's performance. Yet, while I was brooding on the last day, Ashish Bhatia pinged me on gtalk that the final software event was going to start. It was chaos. No, It's name was Chaos. When I reached Computer Centre, the event had already started, I was five minutes late. So I was brushed up on rules by Ashish and then we started solving. Believe it or not, we solved all the problems with more than half hour to spare. That was the moment which brought me back to my shell (pun intended, for geeks ;) ). I was high on my success in my first year. I decided going to classes is not as exciting and rewarding. So, yet again, I bunked classes and soon I recieved a call to visit Prof. Onkar Dixit who was the then Counselling Service Head. The reason was that my Physics tutor, Prof. M. K. Harbola, had decided to report my lack of attendance to counselling service. I did not like it then but today I greatly appreciate it. This way, cases of severe depression can be brought to notice and I believe that was his motive. So, as it happened, I met Prof. Onkar Dixit and he listened to my problem that I was not interested in my department. He went on to advice me that I should look at all the opportunities available which I had overlooked (of course, I had no idea what all department was about). When I reached for the second mid-sems, I was shouted at by Prof. Harbola. I dont remember what I told him but I guess it had something to do with being sorry :) . After second-mids, I decided it would not be good to stretch things too far and I started being the studious fellow who goes to classes. At the end of semester I had passed all my courses, much to my surprise. Of all my semesters here, second sem was the one with the most highs and lows.

In Retrospect: Semester 1

The time has arrived when I have to leave this place. The place where I lived for four years and which, I can easily say, has changed me in various aspects. There have been various experiences: good and bad but, in hindsight, they all helped me learn. I am trying to write down my memories and experiences of this place.

Semester 1: Awed. Free. Happy. These were the dominant feelings that I had from my first semester. When I stepped into this place, I had my own set of expectations and IITK easily surpassed them. During orientation, we were shown some of the facilities available here and I was impressed. I hadn't seen anything like these before. After the initial awe of the place, I came to realize the freedom the place offers. I was told I could do anything in my extra-curriculars as long as I did sufficiently good in academics. After orientation, various clubs made their pitch to attract the freshers. I easily skipped Electronics Club and Robotics Club knowing where my heart was, i.e. Programming Club. Unlike Electronics Club or Robotics Club, Programming Club didn't float any projects to work upon and I was disappointed, waiting for the time when they would. Soon, however, optional projects in ESC101 (Java) were announced and I decided to give it a go. The problem that I chose, Chess (with AI), was one of the toughest available and I was advised against it. Ankit Kala became my project partner and together we started, alone I finished ;) . I knew Kala wouldn't be able to help much because he did not have prior experience still he tried to sit by my side and understand what I was trying to do. I had never worked on such a project before and when it was complete and working, I can easily say, I have never been happier. Thus the first semester passed without any interesting incidence, leaving me happy and content. All of that was about to change in second semester.