Transforming Failure into Success: My Journey from JEE Mains to IIT

Failure is not the end; it is merely a pause in the journey of success. I stand before you today to share my story of overcoming failure in JEE Mains and eventually cracking the IIT entrance exam. My journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the support of family and mentors. Failure is often viewed as the end but it can be the beginning of a remarkable journey. This is a story of how I, a student at CatalyseR, overcame the setback and eventually cracked the IIT entrance, and how you can do the same.

The Beginning:

Class 12 was a challenging year. Balancing board exams and JEE preparation was tough. The pressure of scoring well in both was overwhelming. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t manage both effectively. At the end, I did well in my board exams scoring 91.7 but JEE Main was a struggle. I secured a decent percentile but failed to qualify for JEE Mains. The disappointment was immense. My family supported me but the failure was hard to digest. I shut myself off from the world for two days, grappling with my emotions.

Support System:

With the support of my family and teachers, especially Sumit Sir from CatalyseR, I decided to give it another shot. Sumit Sir’s belief in me and my father’s unwavering support gave me the courage to try again. I joined CatalyseR as a dropper, determined to make it to one of the old IITs.

The Drop Year:

The beginning of my drop year was promising. I was full of motivation and my performance improved significantly. However, by mid-November, I started experiencing panic attacks. The fear of failure haunted me, and my performance declined. With the support of my mentors and a lot of self-reflection, I pulled myself together.

The Second Attempt:

I gave JEE Mains 2019 with renewed determination and secured a better percentile. My JEE Advanced attempt was less daunting this time, and I managed to score around 175 marks. Although my rank wasn’t as high as I hoped, I got into IIT Indore through the JoSAA counselling.

The Journey:

The moment I saw the smile of pride on my parents’ faces, I realized that life was teaching me to never lose hope. I had made it to an IIT, proving that persistence and hard work pay off. This journey taught me valuable lessons about resilience, determination, and the importance of support from loved ones and mentors.

Focus on Comebacks:

When I failed to qualify for JEE Advanced on my first attempt, it felt like the end of the world. But with the unwavering support of my family and the guidance of my mentors at CatalyseR, I decided to take a drop year and give it another shot. It was not an easy decision but it was the best decision I ever made.

Challenges and Solutions:

During my drop year, I faced numerous challenges. The fear of failure haunted me, and there were moments when I wanted to give up. But I remembered why I started this journey—to make my parents proud, to fulfill my dream of studying at an IIT, and to prove to myself that I could do it.

With the structured curriculum and expert guidance at CatalyseR, I focused on my weaknesses, practiced relentlessly, and learned from my mistakes. My mentors believed in me even when I doubted myself. Their encouragement and my family’s support kept me going.

Final Steps:

On the day of my JEE Advanced exam, I walked in with confidence, knowing I had given my best. When the results came, and I saw that I had made it to IIT Indore, it was a moment of pure joy and relief. The journey was tough, but the destination was worth every struggle.

Final Message:

To all the JEE aspirants out there, remember this: Failure is not the end. It is an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger. Believe in yourself, seek support from your mentors and family, and never give up on your dreams. Your journey may be challenging, but with resilience and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Thank you.