Harshita Kalani

I have a mixed range of emotions when it comes to my JEE experience. Looking back, those were the days filled with a rollercoaster of emotions, where laughter and tears intertwined. As I approached the end of my 10th grade, I hadn't even heard about JEE or IIT. Back then, I had dreams of becoming a doctor, and I was focused on pursuing biology. However, deep down, I had an intense love for mathematics that I couldn't ignore. It was painful for me to let go of my passion. Fortunately, my father's friend suggested that I consider switching to PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and give JEE a shot. The idea appealed to me because it meant I could continue studying mathematics, which I loved so much. I enrolled at VMC (Vidyamandir Classes), and that marked the beginning of my journey. I became a dedicated student and diligently completed all the assignments given by my teachers. Time flew by, and before I knew it, the day of the JEE Main exam arrived. I gave my best and achieved a remarkable percentile of 99.2. My parents and I were thrilled to be among the top 0.8% of test-takers. However, there were people who guided me and made me realize that this wasn't enough. Encouraged by their support, I continued to practice and study hard, even when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything. The second opportunity came with JEE Main paper 2, and I was overjoyed to score 99.4% this time. It was a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal of JEE Advanced. With determination, I gave it my all and secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 5588. Now, I find myself sitting at IIT Jodhpur, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering (BTech CSE). I can genuinely say that I am happy here. This journey has been transformative, and I have learned so much along the way. Above all, I have made my family and friends proud, and that means the world to me.