An Interview with Ms. Shilpa Srivastava, VIT Vellore (AIR: N/A) Works at Philips

1)      Hello. Thank you for talking to ComfiStay. How are you doing these days?

Hi, Thanks for contacting me. Life is going great. Never been better.

2)      Let’s start from the beginning. How was your academic and social life before you shifted to Kota?

Yes, I did my schooling from CBSE board and of course was above average. That’s why I came to Kota and yeah, social life was normal as it was just after 10^th boards when I came to Kota.

3)      What was going through your mind when you were deciding on moving to Kota?

If I speak frankly, it was kind of routine in schools that if a student is scoring well in 10^th class, he/she most likely will join some competitive institutions. So even I wanted to study outside my hometown and score well in IIT entrance exam and to join some prestigious IITs.

4)      What factors did you consider while choosing your coaching?

Mostly I saw the results from the previous years of that coaching institute and quality of teachers (which is more important).

5)      What were the initial changes that you encountered when you moved to Kota?

As it was first time living outside home and managing everything on your own, it was quite difficult in the starting but eventually you learn everything.

6)      How did you manage to maintain the academic and entrance preparation simultaneously?

I won’t lie but it surely affected the 12^th board exams and the pressure was too much. Also, because you scored well in previous boards, so you have to live up to those expectations. That was a lot of pressure.

7)      How was your social life at Kota? Do you want to give any advice to the thousands of aspiring engineers who come to Kota every year? What to do and what not to do? If its not too personal, what was your lowest point at your life in Kota? How did you redeem yourself?

I would just say whatever is happening in your life, however low you are scoring in your exams or whatever be the situation right now that makes you think that nothing can go wrong beyond this. Believe me it is NOT the end of the world. Just focus on your own growth and your learnings  and you will be successful in your life.

8)      Do you regret that you didn’t put enough effort to get through IIT? Or is it all down to how you handle it on the D-Day? How was it dealing with the fact that you failed to make it to IITs, which in societal norms, is a failure?

I don’t regret going to Kota or giving significant time of my life in coaching institutes. Of course I was really disappointed over not getting selected into IITs. It was my dream to go to IIT Bombay but as we say, life goes on and so as the opportunities in life will always come to you, you just have to be patient.

9)      How did you shape your life after JEE? How did you arrive to what you are today?

Umm along with JEE I had given different All India level exams for different colleges. So, luckily I got into VIT University Vellore and then got a job offer in Philips, one of the better companies, which is pretty incredible J

10)  What are the 5 commandments that you live by in your life?

There are no predefined rules for living life. Just take life as it comes to you and yeah, be creative and follow your dreams, as my friend here Arpit is doing.