He got into IIT but barely studied engineering. Years later, he says it was the best decision he made

Getting into an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is often seen as the biggest goal for many students. But not everyone who enters an IIT ends up following the path they had imagined. One former IIT student has now shared how he spent much of his college life avoiding engineering studies and why, looking back, he does not regret that decision.

His post on X, where he reflected on his years at IIT (BHU) Varanasi, has drawn attention online for its honest take on college, careers and finding interests outside the classroom.

'I was a last bencher'

Looking back at his college days in 2012, the alumnus described himself as someone who had little interest in engineering classes.


"Back in 2012 during my IIT days, I was a Last Bencher. A waster. There’s a word for it. Lukkha."

He said he attended lectures mainly because the institute required students to maintain 75% attendance.

"I would go to classes only because @IITBHU_Varanasi had mandatory 75% attendance rule. My degree was like prison time of 4 years for my brain, academically. That was the price I paid for the IIT tag."

A different kind of education

While engineering professors explained metallurgy concepts in class, he said his attention was elsewhere.

"While the professor was at the board explaining the crystalline structure of Alloys, I was at the back of the classroom busy with a different curriculum: Reading essay books and novels, deep-diving into Modern Indian History and studying the Indian Economy, Political Science and International Affairs."

According to him, he ended up reading seven to ten books every semester. Many of those books belonged to his roommate, who was preparing for the UPSC civil services examination.

Instead of spending time with metallurgy textbooks throughout the semester, he admitted to studying only a day before exams.

"I only touched a Metallurgy textbook 24 hours before the exam. It would suck my soul. I did the bare minimum. Managed a GPA of 7.5 just so I was eligible to sit for job placements. I explored and enjoyed about everything except academics."

Leaving engineering behind

After graduating, he accepted a consulting role but did not stay connected to the field he had studied.

"I served my time. Took up a consulting job. And once I was a free man, I ran as far away from my major as I possibly could."

His experience eventually led him to a lesson he now believes is more important than his engineering degree.

Internet divided over his experience

The post drew mixed reactions from users. Some felt his story reflected the pressure many students face while choosing careers. One user wrote, "Most people who signed up for the rat race do not even know. Glad you checked out bro."

Another shared a similar career shift after studying medicine. "I empathize bro. I did medicine and then pivot to medical Informatics. Work is clinical data science, no patients. Much better work like balance and much more stimulating."

Others, however, questioned whether he had made the right decision in the first place. One user asked, "If you had zero interest in metallurgy why even spend 4 years with it. Why not drop out and go to a private engineering college or a lesser-known school where you pursue your major of choice?"

Several users argued that an IIT seat should have gone to someone more interested in the subject. Comments such as "You stole a metallurgy seat from someone else who would have been interested," and "Wasted taxpayers money," reflected that criticism.