Buy a good padlock on your first day. Don't wait. Room security is your own responsibility and you'll regret not having one early.
Get to know your floor-mates in the first week. The friendships built in the hostel corridors often end up being the most lasting ones from college.
Power cuts happen. Keep a torch or a charged power bank handy. Your phone dying during a cut right before a deadline is a real problem.
Bring more clothing than you think you need especially socks and innerwear. Laundry piles up fast during exam season when time is tight.
Start maintaining notes from Day 1, even rough ones. You'll be grateful when exam season arrives and your classmates are scrambling to collect notes from everywhere.
Don't skip labs. Attendance in practicals is taken strictly, and makeup sessions are rarely offered. Missing labs can affect your grade significantly.
Talk to seniors from your specific branch before buying any academic equipment calculator, drafter, drawing board. Requirements vary wildly between branches and even between teachers.
Attend the first lecture of every subject, even if you think it won't be useful. The syllabus overview and professor's teaching style tell you a lot about how to approach that subject.
Use NPTEL freely. For most engineering subjects, there are IIT professor lectures available that are clearer and more structured than many textbooks.
Don't ignore the internal assessment marks they make up a significant chunk of your final grade and are far easier to secure than exam marks.
Join at least one club or sports team in your first year. Beyond the activity itself, clubs are how you meet people outside your department and build a larger circle.
Technical clubs (coding, robotics, design) are worth joining early even if you feel underqualified. Most of the learning happens inside the club, not before joining it.
Build projects from your second year. Having two or three solid personal projects on your resume matters far more than a long list of certificates by the time placement season arrives.
Create a LinkedIn profile in your first year. Build it gradually don't wait until third year to start. Recruiters check profiles well before placements formally begin.
Start practicing Data Structures and Algorithms from 1st year, if you are really inclined towards tech. LeetCode and GeeksForGeeks are the tools. The resources are already provided here.
Target internships from the end of second year. By outreaching on Linkdn, asking seniors who have done before you. If nothing then go for research internships. But definitely DON'T WASTE your summer holidays.
Your CGPA still matters, especially for companies with an initial filter. A cutoff of 8.5 is common. Don't let your CGPA fall below that if you can help it.
The first two weeks of a semester are deceptively free. Use them to get ahead on reading and assignments not to relax. The load catches up fast.
Keep your phone away during lectures you actually need to focus on. Passive attendance sitting in class but scrolling is worse than not attending. You lose both the content and the time.
Learn to say "NO". College has an enormous number of commitments pulling at you. Choosing fewer things and doing them well beats spreading yourself thin across everything.
Sleep is not optional. Chronic sleep deprivation tanks your focus, memory, and mood. Protect your sleep schedule, especially in the weeks leading up to exams.
Before purchasing items like aprons, drafters, or other study essentials, take a look at the Buy & Sell NITA group. Many students sell useful items in good condition, and you might find exactly what you need for much less than the original price.
Join Buy & Sell NITA →
⚠️ Don't neglect PYQs.
They are mandatory and must be solved before appearing for the exam.
For 1st year: Refer to the Sombaba PDF, compiled by senior Somesh Bhaiya.
⏱️ Buy a Watch for Exams.
Invigilators will tell you the remaining time, but it's strongly suggested to buy your own watch. Smartwatches are not allowed inside the exam hall.
In 1st year, especially end sem exams, time constraint is a real problem. Consider getting one.
🔌 Buy a Power Bank
Power cuts are frequent. Keep a power bank handy.
✈️ Book Flights Early
Book as early as possible if travelling by flight.
Prices tend to rise closer to the date.