2023 Wrapped

It's that time of the year again. For kids, it's unwrapping presents. For engineering students like me, it's unwrapping our results. I can't imagine what it's like for adults; some tech companies offer end-of-year vacations, but the odds of true relaxation without a 'relax while you finish this report' directive seem debatable. Holidays were so much more carefree as a kid.

For me, 2023 was eventful—a year of many firsts, charting a new course on life's map. I dipped into my first hackathon (SIH) this year. Although we didn't make the cut for the national screening round, the adrenaline of pulling an all-nighter to develop something new was an experience unlike any other. It met my hackathon expectations and yet defied them. Then came my first hackathon win, courtesy of the incredible team 'Decentralised Humans.'

I began the year by interviewing seniors for the department magazine. Fast forward six months later, I got promoted to the Editor-in-Chief of the same. This experience has been extremely demanding yet rewarding, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity and the trust my seniors and colleagues put in me. Throughout the year, I had the opportunity to interview various people - for the magazine, and for positions in various college clubs and chapters. That experience gave me a glimpse of what lies ahead as I go forward and gave me little flashbacks of how anticipated I was during my own interviews.

This year marked my entry into the professional sphere. From diving into the fiercely competitive world of robotics at Technoxian WRC to networking and forging friendships at ROSCon, I gained my initial professional exposure.

Navigating the sophomore-year waters hasn't been smooth sailing. The surge in course load brought along an overwhelming workload, especially during exams. Unlike my first year, where I lucked out with some free time slots, this year posed challenges with consecutive demanding subjects. It was a juggling act between exams, projects, and the nerve-wracking reviews and lab exams. Yet, amidst these pressures, I witnessed my limits expand, refining my delegation and execution strategies. It felt more beneficial than detrimental, albeit stretched thin.

On the engineering front, conquering a non-major-specific project for my electronics course—with some assistance—marked a significant leap. Considering my struggles in electronics during my first year, this was a notable achievement.

2023 taught me the significance of setbacks in propelling one forward. Wanting something desperately, only to not obtain it on your terms, often leads to disappointment. I learned this lesson the hard way.

Socially, I forged new friendships and bid adieu to some old ones. People often claim that university friendships are lasting ones, yet the 'when' and 'how' remain undefined. Witnessing friends crumble due to loss or distress when not chosen made me realize the peril of tying one's identity to the company they keep. It's easier said than done, as we've all been there. The least one can do at times like these is prevent someone else from treading the same path, if not worse.

To sum it up, 2023 was a year of many firsts. In terms of success, and failures. The year started high on a professional note, and I hope it ends the same way.