I still clearly remember the 12th May 2017; it was my 23rd birthday and my last day in VIT University. It goes without saying that it is college where people spend the best years of their life and in my case also it was no different. But that was not just it. College changed me in so many ways that I could never have been half the individual I am today if I would not have been there.
As I walked through the gates of IIM Shillong for the first time, I had the overwhelming feeling of having walked into a picture postcard. The towering trees stood with arms wide open, welcoming me in and inviting me to stay. Warm sunlight sieved in through the leaves, caressing my face. I breathed in the fresh air, and knew this was a rare case of love at first sight.
IIM Shillong. The name itself inculcates a sense of grandeur. Joining an IIM was always a dream of mine. Getting into the campus in clouds has been a whole other sense of achievement. It all started with CAT like how it was for everyone else. But my journey has had its share of ups and downs, both during the preparation for the exam as well as the interview. From doubting if I would get a good score to converting IIM Shillong, it has been a rollercoaster from the start. Having heard a lot about IIM Shillong from a relative who also graduated from here, I had my heart set on this B-School.
Being the newest among the oldest and the oldest among the newest, IIM Shillong has created a niche for itself. The level of enthusiasm with which the students of IIM Shillong join the campus is unmatched. Many feel that the small batch size is a disadvantage but looking at it from an optimistic perspective, it facilitates more interaction and networking to such an extent that all the students know each other very well.
After submitting the final submissions of my 4th-year project and completing all the B-School interviews, I came back to my home. On one fine day I received a mail regarding the declaration of results of IIM Shillong at around 11:00 PM and I couldn’t sleep the whole night. I was supposed to join the company in which I was placed in my campus placement after 10 days. I had worked hard equally for both. Within an hour I was clear that I will be joining IIM Shillong and now it was time to tell my parents about it. I didn’t want to wake them up, so I waited till 6:00 AM. I can’t forget how happy they were. I always wanted to join a reputed IIM and here I had a convert, a feeling of calmness crept in.
The IIM Shillong campus also famously known as “Campus in Clouds” is no less than a hilltop resort.
Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur is the place which systematically unwraps the unfounded concerns of the aspirants once they set foot in the campus and lets one explore his tale of dormant affinity. The campus is situated in the midst of a paradise where mountains are bending in and a river cutting through the valleys nearby, often bring out the poet, photographer, explorer and an admirer in its students. After all, it’s often told when men and mountains meet great things happen. The students in the campus are fortunate enough to have not only humans but dogs and puppies as their companions too. It is the garden of Eden for animal lovers.
My Journey to IIM, Shillong started from the Guwahati railway station, where I boarded a cab to reach the campus in clouds. This was my first visit to the North-East and I had heard a lot about its natural beauty. The beautiful weather and the journey which was full of scenic beauty, proved it true. Nature had more for me, as soon as I entered the hallowed gates of the institute, I was mesmerised by the greenery and the beauty of the campus. I was elated as it was going to be my home for the next two years.
