Ankan

Ankan

When you think of CS at IIT Bombay, late-night coding marathons and relentless academic grind might be the first things that come to mind. But for Ankan Sarkar, life at IITB was so much more than just lines of code. From the intense board game battles and spontaneous boathouse hangouts to the occasional 40-hour sleepless adventure, Ankan’s journey is a testament that life at IITB is as much about connections and memories as it is about academics. His secret? Never say no to a wingie’s plan. 

Q: Tell us about your journey coming here. Why did you choose IIT Bombay?

A: I am originally from Kolkata. I completed high school in Kota and later moved to Bombay, where I spent my first year during the Covid period. I love playing sports, including table tennis, volleyball, and going to the gym. I chose IITB mainly because of peer pressure! I was actually the last guy to enter IITB CSE. Initially, I was accepted at IIT Delhi, but then a seat became vacant and I got in.

Q: What were your expectations before coming here, and how well were they met?

A: My main expectation was to meet a lot of people and make new connections. I’d heard about a lot of academic pressure, but when I joined, I found that people were very friendly. Even though the first year was online, it was very fun on WhatsApp groups, which helped us stay connected. Initially, I was quite stressed about academics, but as semesters went by, I gradually became more relaxed.

Q: Which clubs and teams were you a part of? What were your go-to stress busters or hobbies that helped you survive on campus?

A: I wasn’t a part of any club or tech team, but I did participate in summer camps and programs like ITSP, SOS, and SOC. My main hobbies were sports and going to the gym. I stayed in H16 in my second semester, and our wingies’ WhatsApp group was always buzzing. Going to a friend’s room and chatting was one of the most memorable parts of insti life.

Q: Have you noticed any changes in the institute culture as your time here progressed?

A: The GPLs (birthday bumps elevated to a new level) became quite diluted by the fourth year due to internships and placements. As college progressed, people became more preoccupied. The first year was much more lively, but as the semesters continued, career concerns and stress led to increased isolation among people. I used to attend GPLs, but over time, I lost my enthusiasm for them.

Q: How much of an impact do you think Covid had on your college life?

A: I didn’t feel like Covid had a major impact on me personally. I felt sad when some people with Resource Constraints (RC) were allowed to come to campus a few months early, while I could not. I worried that they would already have formed strong bonds. But in the end, friend groups were getting diluted, and new groups formed anyway.

Q: How did the academic competition or competition overall affect your mental health? Did you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to excel?

A: Yes, I felt a major setback in my fourth semester. Friends with similar CPI secured second-year internships, but I faced 4-5 rejections. This really affected my mental health. Talking to seniors was very helpful, and they helped me get a second-year internship. Regular sports and physical activities helped me a lot to get through it.

Q: If you could relive one moment from your time at IIT Bombay, what would it be?

A: In the fourth year, we used to gather in a friend’s room and play board games like Catan. I was in H3, so going to H18 was very lonely compared to other hostels due to the single rooms. The gathering of friends in the room is something I wish would come back. Late-night cycling around the campus from the hostel to the boathouse to Ananta is something I liked and wish I could do again.

Q: What is your favourite event in insti?

A: When I joined, there was no freshie orientation due to Covid, so there was a sophie orientation in the third semester. I met a lot of my batchmates, and the club intros were very fun. That was my favourite event. Another standout event was the valedictory function, but it was more of an emotional event.

Q: If you could turn back and change one thing, what would it be?

A: One thing I regret is cancelling plans to go out. I preferred to just chill in my room when friends went out. When time was running short in H18, I reminisced about my time in H3 and wished I had participated more actively in those outings. I should have done more stuff in insti.

Q: What’s the longest you have stayed awake without sleeping? Why?

A: I stayed awake for about 40 hours in the fourth year (seventh semester). I got a PPO and then didn’t have much to do, so I explored a lot of stuff. I spent nights gaming for 6-7 hours, then played sports in the morning, and met up with my friends in the evening. Things were so lively and interesting that I didn’t feel like sleeping, it was my final year!

Q: How has your time at the institute changed you as a person?

A: IIT Bombay made me realise that no matter how difficult the situation is, there’s always a way to overcome it. This resilience is something that IITians develop over the 4 years. We do so much in insti that it unknowingly makes us very competent at handling life’s soft skills. 

Q: What is a belief that changed across the 4 years?

A: I had imagined people just staying in their rooms and studying all day. The ‘IITB Stereotype’ I had heard about was broken down as I entered the campus. I was impressed by the number of activities done by the students beyond studies.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: I’m going to South Korea, where I am placed at Samsung Electronics through a PPO. I’ll stay in Kolkata for 3-4 months, go on trips, and spend time at home before moving to South Korea. I am planning to stay in South Korea for at least 2.5 to 3 years.

Q: Any message you would like to give your fellow batchmates or advice for juniors?

A: Don’t miss out on any of the small plans your friends make. You have no clue how much impact every small outing and interaction makes because after 4 years, that’s what matters. However, don’t neglect your CPI! I’ve seen people fail at internships and placement season just because of their CPI. Find a good balance and don’t become a total maggu or total tp.
To my batchmates, don’t think much about your future. Just let it flow, life will work out.

Q: Quick-fire round! Your insti favourites:

• Favourite hangout spot? Boathouse
• Favourite food joint? H2 Canteen
• Favourite prof? Prof Biswabandan Panda
• Favourite course? Operating Systems
• Even sem or odd sem? Even Sem

Q: If you get to meet your little self from the past today, will he be happy to see you where you are today?

A: For sure. He will be very happy. I’m very grateful for all the factors that led me to where I am today- insti, friends, everything. My past self would definitely be happy.