A Dilemma - Part one

 As I said, I want to pen down my own journey to Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, I am here to share my dilemma in choosing the right university for my life. Many of my friends might know that I am originally from a small town called Cuddalore, which is nearer to Pondicherry. Though, Cuddalore provided mediocre education for very competitive world, I chose the hard path of switching my board from State to CBSE in 11th. For many who is reading this article will definitely see  this as a weird decision considering the fact that many students go vice versa. The sole reason for doing that is to challenge myself analytically and emotionally to equip myself for some great challenges later in life.

Getting into IIT was my dream, which ended as a dream mainly due to the lack of fundamentals while the kids from privileged background gets drilled from their tender age. Anyway my hard preparation of one year of my life gave me immense analytical sheer. The world of maths, science was not enjoyable for at least one year since I need to internally motivate me to slog long hours in solving some complex problems. I wouldn't say TN state board is bad but certainly it doesn't encourage students to solve problems so I really faced humongous challenge while comprehending the  IIT JEE problems first. Eventually, that experience was a real learning experience which tested my patience, perseverance in learning new things. Since, I was not actually preparing for CBSE board exams for one year I got damn scared before the commencement of board exams. So I took voluntary leave from boring schools and buckled down for exams. My memorizing capacity which I garnered from State board curriculum was a real savior.

I was able to master the theories of all subjects pretty well and confident before board by solving past 5 year board papers. Apart from English, I was able to score  well, particularly thanks to a friend of mine who helped me to score good marks in Computer Science; the subject which I abandoned until the exams. So, I was able to crusade the board mess with my good state board hand writing skills and presentation skills. But, still I have to prepare for engineering entrance examinations particularly AIEEE and JEE. Though, I totally gave up the confidence of clearing JEE, I did prepare well for AIEEE. I also applied to two Singapore universities mainly due to the advice of a Senior friend. After the exams, both the universities called me for pre-assessments.

I went to Bangalore to give my NTU entrance examinations. That trip to Bangalore was made awesome by friends of my Uncle who were damn funny commenting on the girls who wrote the exams. One of the guys during that time got an admit to IIM Calcutta. So he told me to take the NTU entrance exams seriously. Right after my NTU entrance, I had to write my AIEEE exams but I really screwed up the exams since I completely juggled marking of chemistry paper. I was shattered right after the exams because I definitely know that my chances are very slim. So, I returned home with a heavy heart. Then, there was huge fuss about TN engineering entrance. Ultimately, they did conduct it. I received my offer to join NTU, Anna university and also NIT (Some NIT in north).

I always wanted to pursue chemical engineering since chemistry was always my passion in life. I got chemical engineering in Anna but I forgot to put chemical as my first option in NTU. NTU offered me mechanical engineering. I had little guidance about NTU those times. So I called up that IIM dude asked for his guidance he urged me to go to NTU for exposure and learning. I solely decided to come based on his wise decision. I dropped my plan of joining Anna which was my comfort zone naturally. Hence, the beginning of different life in a new environment.