Entrance Exam Prep

Hey there, folks! If you’ve been stalking my GitHub activity (none of you are, but that’s okay), you might have noticed that I’ve been radio silent for about 2.5 years. Now, before you assume I was busy rescuing kittens or single-handedly saving the planet, I was neck-deep in the chaotic circus called college entrance exams. If you’re gearing up for this rollercoaster, congrats! You’re about to dive headfirst into an exciting adventure featuring late nights, infinite stress, and a constant existential crisis. JEE MEMES credit : reddit

Chapter 1: A Humble Beginning

Once upon a time, I was a naïve 10th grader with decent grades . I joined one of those “prestigious” institutions—the kind that make you feel important just by walking through their gates. For the first three chapters of every subject, life felt manageable. I was doing okay.

Chapter 2: The Great Downfall

And then… cue dramatic music… it all went to hell.

Studies turned into a puzzle I couldn’t solve, and my confidence took a nosedive. By the end of it, I was a mess. Math problems felt like they were written in ancient Greek. I began messing up left, right, and center. By the end of it, I was a certified disaster. My grades? Let’s just say they were the academic equivalent of a dumpster fire. My confidence was in shambles, and my dreams of a shiny engineering college were fading faster than my Wi-Fi during a Zoom class.

JEE MEMES

credit:also from reddit
Chapter 3: Lightbulb Moment

Just before my 11th-grade series test, I had a realization. It hit me like a physics textbook to the face: If I keep going like this, I’m going to ruin my future. So, I decided to start working. That test became my redemption arc. Spoiler alert: It worked.(Some what)

Chapter 4: Redemption (Sort Of)

Fast forward to JEE. My first attempt? Let’s call it a spectacular Disaster. Big, fat failure. But I wasn’t done. I tried again, and while I didn’t break any records, I improved significantly.Pogress is progress, right? Then came a whirlwind of exams: VIT, CUSAT CAT, KEAM—basically, the Infinity Stones of engineering entrances. I didn’t want to leave any stone unturned, so I threw myself at all of them JEE MEMES

credit:wikipedia cuz i’m lazy too lazy to take a pic

Eventually, I settled on KEAM and landed at the Government Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara. (Yes, it’s a real place. You can Google it. I’ll wait. Seriously, go ahead. ) The campus isn’t IIT, but hey, it’s got electricity and Wi-Fi(speed in range of Kbps) most of the time. What more could a budding engineer ask for?.I joined Computer Science and Engineering. Because nothing screams “future-proof” like the promise of being able to debug a few lines of code.

Non-Academic Observations: The Real Lessons

Now, let’s talk about the stuff they don’t teach you in school but should.

Suffering Is Mandatory

You’re going to suffer. Accept it. Embrace it. Make it your thing. No pain, no gain, right?

Perfection Is a Scam Nobody cares if your answer is perfect. They only care if it’s right. So, ditch the perfectionist mindset and focus on getting the job done.

Live in the Moment

Stop obsessing over the future or regretting the past. Just focus on surviving today.

Give It 200%

Half-hearted effort won’t cut it. Go all in, or you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been.

Everything Is an Experience

Success, failure, stress-induced breakdowns—they’re all part of the ride. Learn from them.

Academic Observations: The Boring But Important Stuff

Alright, let’s get nerdy.

Math and Physics Are Your Lifeline

If you’re pursuing engineering, these two subjects are non-negotiable. Whether it’s calculus, linear algebra, or semiconductor physics, you’ll need a strong foundation to survive college. Trust me, this stuff comes back to haunt you in your first semester.

Consistency Beats Cramming

Studying a little every day is way better than pulling all-nighters. Unless you enjoy looking like a zombie.

PYQs Are Your New Best Friend

Forget shiny study materials and expensive guides. Previous Year Questions (PYQs) are all you need. I started prepping for KEAM just seven days before the exam using PYQs and still managed a 2k rank. Luck ?Coincidence? I think not.

Board Exams? Meh.

You don’t need months of prep to ace board exams. Two weeks of focused study will do. (Disclaimer: Starting your chemistry lab prep seven hours before the exam is not a recommended strategy. Don’t ask me how I know.)

College Subjects Start in 11th and 12th

Everything you study in college—especially in engineering—has its roots in high school. Physics and math are everywhere. So, if you’re thinking of skipping those subjects now, think again. College-level subjects are built on 11th and 12th-grade concepts. Physics and math, especially, will haunt or help—you throughout your engineering journey.

Final Words of Wisdom Entrance exams are brutal, but they’re also temporary. Keep your head down, work hard, and remember: nobody cares how you got through the grind as long as you do. And once you’re done, you’ll look back and realize it was all worth it.