IIT Freshers Guide 2025 – Unlocking Success and Joy at IIT: What Every IIT Fresher Must Know Before Campus Life Begins
By Lalit Kumar, IIT Bombay Alumnus
Mumbai, 3rd July 2025: Cracking the IIT JEE is one of the toughest academic milestones in the world. Just making it this far is an extraordinary achievement. But getting into an IIT isn’t the finish line—it’s a powerful launchpad, arguably the most powerful in the world, capable of taking you to unimaginable heights by opening doors—from founding companies like Ola, Zomato, and Flipkart, to leading global giants; from becoming top bureaucrats like District Collectors, to serving as influential policymakers; and from conducting groundbreaking research at NASA and ISRO, to helming blockbuster films in Bollywood. IIT alumni have reached every corner of the world. The possibilities are limitless—but only if you truly use these four years wisely. What you do at IIT will determine how high you fly.
Every year, thousands of bright minds enter IITs with dreams and ambition. What happens next often decides the trajectory of their careers, the confidence they develop, and the character they build.
Balancing Fun and Academics
Giving 100% of your time to academics may leave you deprived of campus life’s real joys: late-night hostel chats, spontaneous trips, and unique traditions. These memories with friends—who’ll go on to become global leaders—are priceless, but while embracing this side of IIT, don’t neglect academics. Without balance, you risk losing the advantage your IIT tag gives you. The key is smart balance—know when and how to enjoy and grind.
Why the First Year Matters
Many students step into the IIT campus assuming it’s time to relax after years of hard preparation. However, the first year at IIT is perhaps one of the most critical in shaping your four-year journey. The first-year CGPA often determines your prospects to collaborate with professors on high-impact research, secure sponsored international internships, land elite tech or finance projects, and even influence the kind of seniors or mentors who will guide you. A few additional courses, like those offered by CMIND (Centre for Machine Intelligence and Data Science) at IIT Bombay as part of the “minor” program, are in high demand and can be taken if your CGPA is around 8.7. Don’t fall into the trap of some batchmates and seniors who may claim that CGPA isn’t important—it is indeed very important. A good CGPA sets the academic tone for the next three years and opens many doors easily, which would otherwise demand a lot of effort later.
Attend All Lectures
The best way to secure a good CGPA at IIT is to attend lectures consistently. Unlike JEE, where the syllabus is fixed and books or YouTube videos closely match the exam, IIT courses are much broader. For the same topic, the focus in books may differ from what professors emphasize in lectures. Since each professor sets their own exams, attending their lectures is the most reliable way to know what’s important. Missing them breaks this alignment and makes it harder to predict and prepare effectively.
Studying in hostel rooms differs greatly from the supportive environment you were used to at home or in coaching, where things were conducive and you were encouraged—or even scolded—for not studying. Suddenly, in the hostel, this supportive dynamic often reverses. Studying there might invite mockery from peers, who may call you a “maggu,” which can be discouraging. But in lecture halls or libraries, you can focus without any judgment.
Follow a Routine
Make it a habit to eat your breakfast, as this will force you to get up on time, reach your lecture hall punctually, and visit the library or lab after lunch. In the evenings, engage in sports or physical activities at the Student Activity Centre (SAC)—these keep you healthy and help build friendships. Attend important workshops for skill development. Spending a few relaxed hours with friends in hostel rooms once a week is healthy. But doing it daily not only wastes time but also reduces enjoyment, as it becomes monotonous.
Health is Wealth
Building a strong, fit body is much easier at your age—start strength training and ensure you get enough protein to develop muscle. Quality sleep is essential for your body to recover and stay energized. Soon, you’ll realize that investing time in your health is one of the most valuable long-term investments you can make. Remember, many IITians in their 40s have wealth but lack the health to truly enjoy their success.
Try to Be Good
Learn to forgive. Your nature is one of the most powerful assets you carry. Be helpful. If someone is going on the wrong track, invest your time and energy to bring them back. Gradually, you will feel more fulfilled, and in the long run, people will respect and admire you. A selfish nature may offer short-term gains but long-term emptiness.
Read Widely: Technology, Management, and Beyond
Reading keeps you ahead of the curve in AI, emerging technologies, and business trends, helping you anticipate where the industry is headed and adapt your skills to excel in placements or launch successful startups. Also explore books on management, leadership, psychology, and personal finance to master essential life skills beyond academics. A habit of reading sharpens your vocabulary and broadens your awareness—powerful assets for interviews, competitive exams like UPSC and CAT, and building a standout career.
Master Communication
Many people have great ideas, but only a few can express them at the right time and in the right words—this ability dramatically increases your chances of success. Communication is a crucial skill, useful not only for leading your team but also for influencing the world. Learn to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Remember, outstanding communication is a trait shared by most top achievers.
Explore Smartly
One of the greatest professional achievements is turning your passion into your profession. Imagine the world seeing you as hardworking while you’re actually enjoying what you truly love. In your first year, it’s wise to explore various clubs, departments, and competitions like hackathons on a superficial level. These give you valuable exposure and teach teamwork without demanding too much of your time. By your second year, you’ll have a clearer idea of which activities align with your interests and market demand, allowing you to commit your time more purposefully.
However, keep in mind that as a first-year student, if you join independent bodies (IBs) like Techfest, Mood Indigo, or E-cell, you may often be assigned routine tasks that add limited real value. Such IBs offer incredible opportunities for growth, but they become significantly more rewarding when you start pursuing them seriously from your second year onward. Throughout this journey, consult trusted seniors. So, use your first year to observe and learn, and plan to get more actively involved as you move into your second year.
Daily Reflection
Before going to bed, plan the next day’s agenda. Reflect on the day—what went wrong, what pulled you down—and make necessary adjustments to avoid repeating those mistakes. Maintaining a personal diary can also be very useful for tracking your progress and thoughts.
What to Avoid
Avoid Last-Minute Cramming: It may sound cool, and people often boast about studying only on the last day before exams without sleep, but the stress and effort are almost the same as the cumulative effort required for studying steadily throughout the semester. Last-day cramming offers neither meaningful learning nor genuine enjoyment. Consistent study helps you truly enjoy the subject, build deeper understanding, and achieve a better CGPA. Additionally, you may find some topics so interesting that you’ll reach great heights by pursuing them further, whether in research or your own startup.
Don’t Expect Coaching-Style Teaching: The study experience at IIT differs greatly from that in coaching classes. These coaching institutes work with 8th–12th grade students aspiring to become IITians, who need constant guidance to strengthen their concepts, strategies, and motivation, often requiring teachers to go the extra mile. In contrast, IIT professors are world-class experts who teach students who are already IITians and may assume they are sincere and proactive, so they don’t require spoon-feeding. As a result, IIT professors may prioritize core concepts over motivation or engaging lectures. Secondly, at coaching institute, you remain connected to the same teachers throughout the multi-year course, allowing time to build strong bonds. At IIT, however, each professor teaches you only for the duration of a single course, which typically lasts just a few months, leaving little opportunity to form close relationships. Still, if you approach IIT professors with questions or seek technical guidance, you’ll get to witness how world-class researchers think — but you must be proactive and self-motivated. Expecting the same handholding students received during coaching often leads to disappointment and affects their academics. Adjust your mindset early; embracing independent learning will help you avoid frustration and thrive at IIT.
Avoid Substance Abuse: Those who start smoking or drinking at a young age have a much higher risk of developing addictions, and it affects you in the long term, especially since your physical and mental growth is still in progress. These habits can also accelerate aging. Strictly avoid smoking, drinking, or experimenting with substances, no matter how normal it might seem among peers. Try to discourage friends who engage in these habits, or distance yourself to avoid their influence. Apart from harming your health, these habits will also drain your resources—like time and money—which could be better invested in constructive opportunities at IIT.
Lectures and Backlogs: Avoid the Vicious Cycle: Many students skip lectures, hoping to catch up later after clearing their backlogs, but this only worsens the problem as the backlog keeps growing, trapping you in a vicious cycle that’s hard to escape.
Final Word
A seat at IIT opens the gates, but your vision, adaptability, and dedication will determine how far you go. Walk in with pride, yet stay grounded. The next four years are your runway—make every step count.
(About the Author: Lalit Kumar graduated with a B.Tech from IIT Bombay in 2002. He became one of IEEE’s youngest authors by publishing a technical paper on “Power Distribution and Automation” during his undergraduate years. Although he actively took on leadership roles in extracurricular activities, serving as hostel sports secretary and organizer with independent bodies like the Entrepreneurship Cell, he reflects that his time at IIT could have been even more rewarding had he known a few key insights earlier. In today’s world of rapidly evolving AI and a booming startup culture — especially at IIT — he now shares these insights to help the next generation make the most of their IIT journey.)
