Chasing Dreams Through Broken Systems
My JEE Experience [Part 2]
By January, I had reached my breaking point. The organic chemistry teacher walked into class, and within minutes, I knew I couldn’t take it anymore. The lectures felt lifeless, and there was no genuine effort to help us understand anything. That day, I silently promised myself—once I’m done with JEE, I’ll name this coaching and its teachers for everyone to know.
I started voicing my frustration to my parents. I explained how this coaching wasn’t helping and that I wanted to study at home. To get some clarity, I even reached out to a couple of friends who are now at IIT Bombay, studying in the ECE & Chemical branches. These aren’t just random people—they’ve given Josh Talks and are genuinely inspiring individuals.
They shared something that opened my eyes: 75% of IIT Bombay students crack JEE through self-study. Only 25% join coaching because they’ve been preparing since 7th grade and need to refine what they already know. That was the moment I realized that my path to success didn’t have to depend on this coaching.
But convincing my parents wasn’t easy. They didn’t trust online resources, thinking they were unreliable. So, we approached the newly appointed center coordinator at my coaching institute. Each visit was frustrating. She had some excuse or the other to keep me enrolled, saying the institute had “taken responsibility” for my success. Her bragging didn’t help either. She kept flaunting how her son had cleared JEE Advanced 20 years ago with a double-digit rank, as if that automatically made her an expert. It was ironic because she hadn’t gone through the grind herself.
The institute even brought in their so-called “gem” teachers to convince us to stay. They gave ridiculous arguments about why attending coaching was essential. Honestly, the teachers I found online were far more knowledgeable and helpful. They are the true gems of the IIT JEE world.
Fast forward to June, I finally left the coaching and decided to rely on self-study. YouTube and Telegram became my best friends. These platforms are incredible for finding resources and study material. If you need help finding the right links or material, just drop a comment, and I’ll personally share them with you.
Since leaving the coaching, my life has felt so much better. I took control of my preparation, set my own schedule, and studied at my own pace. Now, with JEE Mains just 20 days away, I’ve completed my syllabus and shifted to giving mock tests. More than 1.5 million students are registered for JEE 2025, and I’m excited to take on this challenge. I’ll share my results and reflections once the exam is over.
5 Lessons I Learned from My JEE Preparation
1. Self-Study is God of All
No coaching or resource can replace the power of self-study. Taking responsibility for your own learning is key.
2. Persistence is the Key
There will be tough days when nothing seems to work. Staying consistent through those moments is what matters.
3. Not All Days Are Good
Some days, you’ll feel like giving up. That’s normal. The important thing is to start fresh the next day.
4. Struggle in Life Has to Be Present
Struggles shape us. The difficulties you face while preparing for JEE make you stronger for the future.
5. Everything Happens for Our Own Good
Every setback, frustration, and failure teaches you something valuable. Trust the process.