MNNIT Allahabad Campus Experience | B.Tech Undergraduate

I’m a second-year B.Tech undergraduate student from MNNIT Allahabad, and today, I want to share a personal experience that might resonate with many first-year students.

The Struggle: Adapting to College Life

Back in school, I was the class topper, driven by my goal to clear the national-level JEE exam. Achieving admission to MNNIT felt like a dream come true, but reality hit hard when I stepped into college.

During my first mid-semester exams, I performed poorly due to a combination of fever and lack of interest in engineering subjects. When the marksheets were handed out, I was shattered—it was my worst performance across almost every subject.

Although I learned from my mistakes and improved during the end-sem exams, it became clear that when you pursue something without genuine interest, it feels far harder than it should. My SPI in the first semester reflected this—I was a 7-pointer, while many of my batchmates scored 8 or 9.

The Realization: Skills Over Scores

By the second and third semesters, I realized that simply scoring a good CPI wasn’t enough for long-term success. I needed skills.

So, while maintaining a decent 7 CPI, I decided to focus on mastering Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). This shift in focus marked the beginning of my journey toward skill-building.

The Challenge: Starting DSA

Initially, I felt demotivated seeing others around me—friends who had already mastered DSA or were progressing rapidly, even those from non-CSE branches. I kept asking myself, "What am I doing as a CSE student if I don’t even know DSA?"

But instead of dwelling on regrets, I decided to start.

My DSA Journey

I began my DSA learning with the Striver (Take U Forward) series, solving problems on platforms like:

• GeeksforGeeks (GFG)
• LeetCode
• Coding Ninjas
  Eventually, as I grew more confident, I challenged myself on Codeforces.

Lessons Learned

1. Take It Step by Step:
   • Start with the basics (e.g., C++ syntax).
   • Gradually move on to topics like arrays, recursion, and advanced data structures.
2. Don’t Let Challenges Demotivate You:
   • If you’re stuck on a problem, take a break and revisit it after a few days with a fresh perspective.
3. Parallel Learning:
   • Alongside DSA, pick up another skill that excites you, like Web Development or Android Development.

A Word of Encouragement

Your only competition is yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on your own improvement.

No matter where you’re from—a private, tier-3, or tier-2 college—don’t judge yourself by the institution’s name. In the end, skills matter the most, not the label of your college.

Final Thoughts

I hope this story inspires someone to take the first step toward self-improvement. Remember, it’s never too late to start building the skills that will define your future.