My Journey to Success in the JEE

An Interview with a Topper

We sat down with Anjali Mehta, who secured an All India Rank of 87 in JEE Advanced. She shares her candid insights on her two-year journey from an aspiring student to an IITian.

Q: What was your biggest challenge during your preparation?

Anjali: "Honestly, it was managing self-doubt. There were days when I'd score poorly on a mock test and feel like giving up. The key was to detach my self-worth from my scores. I learned to see tests as diagnostic tools, not judgments. They showed me where to improve, and that's it."

Q: Can you describe your daily routine?

Anjali: "I focused on consistency, not crazy hours. I aimed for 3-4 focused study sessions of about 2.5 hours each. I'd wake up at 6 AM, start with the subject I found most difficult (Physics for me), take regular breaks, and ensure I got at least 7 hours of sleep. Sleep is non-negotiable for memory consolidation."

Q: How did you handle burnout?

Anjali: "I scheduled my breaks and hobbies with the same seriousness as my studies. Every Sunday evening was my 'off' time. I'd watch a movie or go out with family. This prevented the build-up of fatigue and gave me something to look forward to. Burnout happens when you feel like you're on a treadmill with no end in sight."

Q: What were your go-to resources?

Anjali: "I stuck to a limited set of high-quality resources. For concepts, it was standard textbooks like H.C. Verma for Physics. For problem-solving, I relied on my coaching materials and previous years' question papers. It's a common mistake to jump between too many books."

Q: What's one piece of advice you'd give your younger self?

Anjali: "Trust the process. There will be ups and downs, but every hour you put in, every mistake you analyze, is a step forward. Don't compare your journey to others. Focus on your own progress, stay consistent, and believe that your hard work will compound over time."