The Real IITian

I was forced to write this post due to some recent experiences. In the past few days I happened to meet few strangers in context of some interviews and some parties. When they heard of myself being an IITian their misconceptions about IIT surfaced and they started expecting a stereotypical behaviour from me. When my behaviour did not match their expectations they actually told me what they, and for that matter what the outside world, sees an IITian as and what they imagine would be the schedule being followed in IITs.

Basically their point of view was that an IITian would be working their ass (the donkey) off. He/She would be up late nights doing assignments, working in laboratories, studying what syllabus has been covered and even what is to be covered and stuff which would never be covered in the curriculum. I think this rumour has also gained strength because of people raeding books like Five Point Someone and taking it for facts rather than fiction which I hope was the intention of the author.

Though they are partially right but the other part of truth will make them want to go back in their state of speculations regarding an IITian. I said partial truth since students do stay up till late in the night (the time may vary anywhere from 1am to the entire night). Also, a few of them are of the kind as described above (which are tagged as “maggu” or “fighter” by the others). But the majority (a large one) is far from the hassles of academics. They are busy not doing some kind of “research” in laboratories but are confined to their hostel rooms playing strategy games on the LAN or watching movies (you can guess the legality of the source) on the computers again downloaded from the LAN or just wiling their time away.

Most IITians would argue that the greatest asset and attraction of IIT is the LAN. When the students go for their internship at companies or universities, they are happy as it is the first time they would be getting some cash in hand. But after some time, they start having a feeling of separation from the LAN and that of helplessness. The power which the LAN provides makes them want to come back to IIT leaving the worldly pleasures.

Coming back to the topic, most IITians feel that the exams are the best time, not because they are the ones who are fond of studying, but because that is the time when there are no classes and laboratories (as if they attend them) and what is expected is, to be present in the exam room for atmost an hour. The scenario is such that after the hectic night schedule the morning starts at around 11:59:59 am (Just to remain on the am side). And any lecture class before that is sacrificed for the sound sleep which is essential for the body and also as per the typical IITians hobbies.

Though I have prepared a complete schedule of atypical IITian as well as the broad categories in which all IITians lie along with their characteristics, it would follow in the future posts.