My journey at PICT - Pune : Darshan Bari

I am a computer engineering student who has just completed his first year. If you pursued science in your HSC, then this article is for all of you.

My life after SSC

When you were in the tenth standard, you had three main choices after the exams and results. However, deciding your career for the future is a lot more difficult. So many streams to opt for like BSc, BE/BTech and much more. But where to go? In order to do engineering, the first and most important thing you need with you, as your “ace”, is maths. You need to be good at Maths, or you may be one of those with a weak base having backlogs in all Maths subjects in the semesters. Nothing to discourage, but Maths in HSC is just easy, while engineering mathematics is somewhat difficult.

It is requested to all the Mathematics aspirants to opt for either BSc Maths and Computing, or else Computer Science or Information Technology. I opted for computer science with PCM. My knowledge of Mathematics was fair but I had a major interest in Computer Science by that time, so I decided that whichever college it may be, I would opt for computer science only. In addition, the demand of computer engineers never goes down, so I chose computers to be my first love.

I am currently studying in Pune Institute of Computer Technology. I had to crack MHTCET with good marks to be eligible as an “other than home university student”. I had solved Marvel Publications for it. I had attended JEE-Mains coaching classes in 11th and 12th which took care of my MHTCET as well. My experience says that it's a better option to join JEE-Advanced coaching rather than joining just JEE-Main coaching. Also, focus on HSC board exams because you can't ignore them, and you need at least satisfactory results for some institutes like BITS. Attempt all class tests seriously and solve the wrong and unsolved questions. Most importantly, daily revise the class notes on the same day. Complete all pieces of study material given to you and then go for reference books. All the best.

After you are done with all the exams and results, enter the colleges during CAP rounds carefully. Also, consider that your field in engineering does not decide where you are going to be placed. If you have the talent and skills, you will be placed for sure. 

I chose PICT Pune and got a hostel outside the campus. I would recommend this because not all the engineering college messes are good and you have an option to choose your own food. In addition, a hostel outside the campus means less numbers of other students in the hostel, so studies can be done in a better way. I participated in all the coding events in my college organised by various student chapters. I didn't win any of those in my first year, though I met many expert seniors whom I now trouble anytime for my difficulties. I joined a student chapter -  PICT-ACM Student Chapter. This is the top ACM student chapter in India. I was introduced to many domains under programming and computer science. In my first year, I tried the basics of many of these like Android App development, website development, competitive coding and Python. I joined the Robocon team of PICT and got to learn not only about the technical part of my field, but also about mechanical and electronics parts in robotics. My mistake was I did not attend the practice sessions of Robocon during my first year. One should attend such sessions to gain practical knowledge and also to cheer their own team. Talking about the first year, the syllabus was very easy and there was a lot to memorize (mugging up).

So, learning about coding languages and concepts is easy and a must in this year. Attend or watch various webinars and seminars on the technology part. My senior says, whatever information is in the books, is outdated, so do read technical magazines and research papers. The environment here, support from the seniors, a good college faculty and competition among students made me feel that I was in the right college and I had chosen the right field. Also, I can’t complain or compare my college with others now, so starting to do everything right and to forget the past is the only option for me. So, do code and do it right.

About the Author:

I am Darshan Bari, a computer engineering student like about a lakh of other computer engineers in this country. I study in Pune Institute of Computer Technology . I like to write so I am just filling the spaces wherever I get to write. I like memes