Hello there! First and foremost, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article. As someone who’s been through the grind of preparing for JEE Mains, I can genuinely relate to the ups and downs that come with this journey. Let me share my story with you—one of resilience, determination, and the belief that if I can do it, so can you.

The Initial Plan: NDA Aspirant

Believe it or not, I never planned on pursuing engineering initially. After my 12th exams, I was determined to become an officer in the Indian Air Force through the NDA exam. I passed the NDA entrance exam multiple times and even went through various SSB interviews.

First SSB Experience: Mysore

• Coming from Forbesganj, a small town in Bihar, I hadn’t traveled much. Mysore was my first long solo trip, and it was a mix of excitement and fear. I remember my suitcase handle broke, and I had to drag it around with a rope—it was quite an adventure!
• At the Air Force Base, among 200 students dressed in formal, I faced the reasoning test and the picture perception test. I did well initially but didn’t make it past the next round. Despite trying again in places like Punjab and Dehradun, I couldn’t clear the SSB.

A Change of Plans

With time running out and the next JEE Mains exam in about 10 months, I had to make a crucial decision. Realizing that my dream of joining the Air Force might not come true, I decided to give engineering a serious shot. As a “double dropper,” it wasn’t an easy choice, but I was determined.

Preparation Without Coaching

I didn’t enroll in any coaching classes. Instead, I relied on online resources and disciplined self-study. Here’s how I managed my preparation:

• Online Lectures: I watched YouTube lectures for Maths, Physics, and Chemistry. Channels like Unacademy, Physics Wallah, and Vedantu became my go-to sources.
• Self-discipline: Sticking to a strict study schedule was crucial. I set daily, weekly, and monthly goals to keep myself on track.
• Practice: I solved previous years’ question papers and took mock tests regularly to gauge my performance and improve my time management skills.

Overcoming Challenges

The journey was far from smooth. There were days when I felt overwhelmed and doubted my abilities. However, I learned to push through those moments by reminding myself of my goals and the hard work I’d already put in. Some key strategies that helped me were:

• Breaks and Recreation: Taking short breaks and indulging in hobbies helped me recharge.
• Peer Support: Discussing difficult concepts with friends and joining online study groups kept me motivated.
• Mental Health: Practicing mindfulness and meditation helped me stay focused and calm.

The Result: A Rank of 13,000

Finally, all the hard work paid off. I secured a rank of 13,000 in JEE Mains and got admitted to IIIT Lucknow. It was a moment of immense pride and relief. Looking back, the journey taught me valuable lessons about resilience, self-belief, and the power of perseverance. I know, you might be thinking that 13,000 rank is not even such a great rank .I know there are still like 12,999 people who did better than me. But that’s okay . Sameer sir(My Maths Teacher) always told that there will always be people better than you, what you can do is do your best, and I did it honestly . That’s what I was proud of!

A Message to You

If you’re reading this and feel disheartened by setbacks, remember that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. Here are a few takeaways from my experience:

• Stay Persistent: Success doesn’t come overnight. Keep pushing, even when the going gets tough.
• Adapt and Improvise: Be open to changing your plans if necessary. Life is full of unexpected turns.
• Use Available Resources: You don’t always need expensive coaching. Utilize free resources and stay disciplined.
• Believe in Yourself: Self-belief is your greatest ally. Trust your journey and your efforts.

If I can do it, so can you. Stay focused, stay positive, and keep moving forward. Your dreams are within reach—believe in yourself and give it your all. Good luck!